I do not say it often enough...

Baptism has become an event to us.  An unimportant event as a nod to tradition to some.  An important event to others but not the trigger of a completely new identity.  Even the stranger to the Lutheran service will note the seriousness and profound character of baptism from its liturgy or rite.  Unfortunately, too often the depth of the words is lost in a sea of tearful Kodak moments in which the flash of cameras and phones trivializes the timeless event in time which is baptism.

I am more and more convinced that the problems in Lutheran piety and church growth stem from our failure to take seriously the Word of the Lord that does what it promises.  No where is that Word more central to what happens than in the baptism of an infant.  With nothing to comment the child to the Lord, nothing to bring, nothing to offer, and no promises to make, we are left only with the promise of the Lord which He has kindly attached to this water.  For this reason Luther found the most apt demonstration of grace hidden right there in the obvious of the baptismal event.  It is truly an event but one which has lasting and life-changing consequence for the baptized.  Unless, of course, we cede that event merely to the past and treat it as merely an event in time.

Lutheran piety is meant to be profoundly baptismal.  Lutheran faith is rooted in the Word that keeps its promise, the efficacious Word.  I do not mean to take away from the devotional reading of Scripture or the regular weekly reception of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.  These also powerfully shape and define our Lutheran identity in the practical realm of "me."  But it seems to me that each day it is both test and opportunity to speak, confess, and live the promise of that watery death and resurrection called baptism.  That each day we struggle to believe and say, to say and believe, "God's own child gladly say it!"

We could do worse than to content ourselves with the Our Father and Luther's morning and evening prayers as the basis for our daily devotion.  I might add only one thing that we learn to know and to pray as well as say -- God's own child I gladly say it!


1    God’s own child, I gladly say it:
    I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it,
    Gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth’s treasures many?
I have one worth more than any
    That brought me salvation free
    Lasting to eternity!

2    Sin, disturb my soul no longer:
    I am baptized into Christ!
I have comfort even stronger:
    Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.
Should a guilty conscience seize me
Since my Baptism did release me
    In a dear forgiving flood,
    Sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?

3    Satan, hear this proclamation:
    I am baptized into Christ!
Drop your ugly accusation,
    I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I’ve traveled,
All your might has come unraveled,
    And, against your tyranny,
    God, my Lord, unites with me!

4    Death, you cannot end my gladness:
    I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness
    To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes
Faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
    Baptism has the strength divine
    To make life immortal mine.

5    There is nothing worth comparing
    To this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring:
    Even there I’ll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising,
Still my soul continues praising:
    I am baptized into Christ;
    I’m a child of paradise!

© 1991 Robert E. Voelker

Or just sing it along with this assembly: