Epiphany

Klara was baptized on Epiphany, which is the day we celebrate the Light of Christ that has come into the world. Fittingly, Klara's name means "bright" or "brilliant." She was exactly one year and three days old for the big event. Grandma and Grandpa Schert came to celebrate with us.

Klara toddled around the front of the church while our pastor Dan led us through the vows. The other children of the church sat in the front row and quietly held K's interest and kept her from wandering too far away during the vows. She was attracted to the candlelight surrounding her.



After the first pouring (Father) of water, Klara was startled. After the second (Son) she was personally offended. After the third (Holy Spirit) she was downright mad. She wasn't pleased with Matt, our dear friend who got her wet. Then Dan came back to anoint her forehead, and she screamed at him, pushing his hand away. The lovely lingering scent of Jasmine was on her for a few days.




Finally, we marched around the church presenting Klara to her new covenant family. It's always cute and funny when children protest through this sacrament, but it reminds me of the first cry of birth and that being visited by God- the reality of Him- is stirring, life-giving and sometimes offensive to our sensibilities.