Holy Baptism

Last week, students in Miss Elsa’s class discussed the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Our Anglican tradition recognizes sacraments as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 857). We learned that through the signs of water, the Word, and the oils, we receive the light and life of the risen Christ. Students enjoyed touching and smelling the oils and then had a chance to practice pouring water using a seashell.*

Doctrinal Points:

• The risen light of Christ is eternal, is stronger than death, is available to everyone, and overcomes the darkness.
• Through Baptism, we participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• Baptism is one of three sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
• The light of the risen Christ comes to the baptized through the water and the Word.
• Baptism strengthens us to live our life in Christ and covers us with the sweetness of  Christ.
• We are brought into a relationship with the Trinity.

           - We are “baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Direct Aims:

• To proclaim that through the signs of water, the Word and the oils, we receive the light/life of the risen Christ.
• To read the signs of:

           Water – Cleansing, refreshment, abundant life, purifying
           Word – God’s pledge and promise that we are called by name
           Oil of Catechumens – Strength, royalty
           Sacred Chrism – Sweet fragrance of Christ. We are anointed into his likeness

 After the lesson, the class headed to the playground to embrace one of the most beautiful days of spring yet!

*A shell is traditionally used in Christian baptisms as a symbol of purity, new life, and rebirth. The practice of using a shell in baptisms has its roots in early Christianity when water was seen as a symbol of cleansing and baptism was seen as a ritual of initiation into the Christian faith.
The shell itself is often seen as a symbol of baptism because it is reminiscent of the shape of a boat, which is a symbol of the church as a safe haven for believers. In addition, the shell is associated with the sea and with water, which is significant because the water used in baptisms represents the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
Furthermore, the use of a shell in baptisms is also thought to have practical reasons. Shells were often used in ancient times to scoop water from rivers or pools for use in baptisms, making them a useful tool for performing the ritual.