Nicholas' Baptism

We had a busy weekend, with family and friends in town for Nicholas' baptism. Between the level of activity, the shortage of naps, and the colds we're all still fighting, we're worn out, but it was a wonderful weekend and great to spend time with everyone. Thank you to everyone who came in to help us celebrate this special day in Nicholas' life.

We were so busy spending time with all our visitors, organizing for his party, and trying to sneak in enough power naps for Nicholas to avoid code red meltdowns that I didn't really have time this weekend to reflect on the significance of the event. Thinking about it now it feels sort of anticlimactic. I guess because it doesn't seem like much has changed.

The best definition I have ever heard of sacraments is that they are the recognition of something that has already taken place internally rather than a tranformative procedure. I like this definition a lot because they point to the process of transformation that we as humans have a role in, in connection with God. We can't do it on our own, but neither are we completely passive objects. And so, in that sense, Nicholas' baptism was the official welcoming ceremony even though he has been a member of the church family from birth (or at least when we started taking him to church at 5 weeks old).

Just as importantly, as a welcoming ceremony, his baptism was just the beginning. It is important to us to give him a strong foundation in a religion. He may change which religion he practices later in life or decide he does not want to practice any religion at all, but we hope to provide him with a foundation he can turn to. The baptism was the easy part.

And now I'll stop reflecting and get to the real reason you check this blog . . . pictures.

Here is our beautiful little boy in the baptism outfit my mom made for him:

From Baptism Weekend

And here he is playing and happy before the baptism started:

From Baptism Weekend

Then Deacon Ed poured the water on his head and Nicholas decided the day had gotten a lot less fun:

From Baptism Weekend

Outside of the church with his parents and godparents:

From Baptism Weekend

At the church with Grandma Kathleen and Grandpa Dan:

From Baptism Weekend

Joe's entire family came in for the baptism!

From Baptism Weekend

Believe it or not, these are only a small fraction of the great pictures from the weekend. You can see the rest of them (and a couple hilarious videos) here.