Baptism Anniversaries of Catherine Ellis Cain and Caroline Elizabeth Cain

Both Catherine Ellis and Caroline were baptized on The Baptism of Our Lord Sunday at Camp McDowell - same Sunday - just two years apart.  It's the perfect Sunday to welcome the newest members of the community into the Christian community.  The Baptism of Our Lord signifies the end of the Christmas season on the liturgical calendar and the season of Epiphany - also a wondrous time time in the church.

This year we welcomed two more sweet children to the Christian community on this same day: Parker Evans and Noah Cook! Welcome to the most wonderful community sweet little ones! After church today we joined the Evans for brunch and sweet little Parker was so worn out from all the festivities that we didn't even get a picture with her, but we did manage one with Geoff (one of the priests at St. Mary's, a great friend and a favorite of the Cain ladies):

Each year we light the baptism candles for the girls as a reminder of the light of Christ that shines through them.  They are still young, but Catherine Ellis is starting to get it.  Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been wonderful for her and Advent really brought home "light" and Christ and how it signifies Christ. Catherine Ellis loved Advent and the advent wreath.  She couldn't wait to sing each day what the different candles signified and then 12 full days of all fives candles lit - so much fun!

The candles on the advent wreath represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Christ - all things we want to be evident in our lives and our walk with Jesus.  As we celebrate the welcoming of Catherine Ellis and Caroline into the Christian community we also focus on the prayer that Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Christ are big parts of their lives.  That their lives will shine bright with the hope, peace, joy and love that Christ has for us each and every day.

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit:  Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant that they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior: who with and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting, Amen.