By Wendy Steger, Pastor
Happy New Year! (2019)
It’s that time of year again. It’s time to make resolutions, shake off the dust of another year past, and begin again with a fresh start. I honestly love the feeling of a new year. I love that the days are getting longer. Even though the weather is cold, I love the crisp sunshine of January in Minnesota. Each new year is alive with possibilities.
What does this new year hold in store for you? Many of us resolve to lose weight, become a better person, volunteer more, or spend money more wisely. At SOTV, we can help with some of these resolutions. SOTV offers numerous ways to learn and serve, and we can even help you with finances in the new year.
But what if the New Year’s reset wasn’t limited to a single time of year? What if each day could hold the same promise for a new start and a fresh perspective as Jan. 1? Good news! The sacrament of baptism hold just such a promise for a daily rebirth and reset.
In the small catechism, Martin Luther wrote that baptism, “works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this,” and that through daily contrition and repentance “a new [person] should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” Through baptism, we are given a fresh start every single day. What a gift!
The Rev. Adam Hamilton wrote the following prayer to be said each day as you shower or bathe, “Lord, as I enter the water to bathe, I remember my baptism. Wash me by your grace. Fill me with your Spirit. Renew my soul. I pray that I might live as your child today, and honor you in all that I do.” I encourage you to pray this prayer each time you bathe this year. Perhaps your 2019 New Year’s resolution can be to fully embrace your baptism and remember it daily.
Let 2019 be a year full baptismal promise, and may your year be blessed with daily renewal in the name of Christ.
