Elisabeth was baptized tonight, at St. James' Easter Vigil. I spent most of the service in the nursery with the babies and then after the baptism I was back in the nursery until communion.
After the baby was baptized, our priest sprinkled the congregation with holy water. He announced he would do this, but as I,distracted, was carrying the baby back to our pew, the icy cold water fell upon my neck and back and I flinched...but only for a moment. Then my free hand flew up to make the sign of the cross, and the words of the renewal vows rang again in my ears. The frustration I felt with my toddler throwing tantrums while prayers were read, the older two wiggling and whispering nonstop, the baby fussing, it all faded for a second. Is now and ever will be.
Taking the baby back to the nursery, I took the outside route, around the corner of the church to avoid walking all the way up the pew with my screaming girl. She was hungry and this baptism business was of no interest to her. But when the night air hit us she quieted, and cooed, and stared up at me as I whispered thanks to God for the sacrament of Ella's baptism. Her peach fuzz was still wet with holy water, and her forehead shiny with chrism.
I am exhausted, the day was long, the evening, vigil, and baptism were longer-especially when spent with tired and cranky children. Four of them under 7. I'm going to finally go to bed and pray that He grant us His peace.
HE IS RISEN!
Indeed.
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