The words we have just heard are the words of Solomon to his son, of a parent to their child. They are words that you have chosen that you would want William to hear
1. Listen to the wisdom of the past
“My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments”
There is something very special about the passing down of wisdom from generation to generation, even if we have sort of lost that a bit.
I am conscious that if I had listened to my parents, and not insisted on learning everything for myself, life could have been so much richer! And as a parent I do wish that my children could learn from my mistakes, and not have to make those same mistakes for themselves!
There is a wisdom which comes to us from the past
I think that you said that your mother spoke these verses from Proverbs to you, and her mother spoke them to her. And so it is special that you have chosen them for today. Even in this, there is a passing of teaching and wisdom
And this church building makes us conscious of the past and the heritage of the past. And it is important for you as a family because some of your ancestors are buried here.
And in the act of Christian baptism of a child there is something that is a little bigger than us at play here. This is a rite has been passed on for almost 2000 years
And we are, whether we like it or not, inheritors of this tradition. It makes us what we are. Not just the place, not just the rite but also what is at the heart of baptism, the message of baptism passed down from generation to generation since the time when Jesus Christ lived on this earth, was crucified and rose from the dead. It is the message that we are not perfect people, but that God welcomes us into his family and that we are washed, forgiven people who can always, with him, make a new beginning.
2. The importance of love and faithfulness
“Do not let love and faithfulness forsake you”
Love is the great command that Jesus gave his followers: ‘Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as you love those closest to you’.
Love:a) Being pleased that the other person exists
b) Wanting, with the deepest desire, the best for them, so that they can be the best possible version of themselves, what they were created to be, not just in this world, but for eternity.
c) Desiring to be in communion, relationship, with them, so that the other becomes in the right, appropriate, way part of you and you become part of them. Of course, that relationship will change. How you relate with William when he is 3 will be very different, I hope, to how you relate with him when he is 30.
And to love we add faithfulness: loyalty, commitment, trustworthiness, dependability, keeping your word
We can only love if we know ourselves beloved.
It is so important to have someone who has modelled love and faithfulness to us.
And of course, as parents we really do want the best for our children, we do try to model love and faithfulness to them, but we mess up, and we will mess up.
But there is one who loves us, as parents, as children, and who is completely faithful
I was baptised as a baby and brought to church, and the Lord Jesus has been a part of my life for over 60 years. I have grown to know more and more of his love – for me, for others, for this creation.
And I have also grown to know his faithfulness. Yes, I have let him down, but he is the one who is always forgiving, constantly offering us fresh starts. And his word and promises are not only a guideline for life, but give me an anchor to hold on to in the crises of life.
3. The importance of trust in the Lord
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart”
In this service, I asked you: Do you believe and trust in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This is not just a head thing. It is also a heart thing.
I trust that this world, this universe, maybe this multiverse has not just happened because of blind force, but that it is the creation of a God who wants us to know him as a person, as loving father - even when, especially when, life is difficult and he is asking me to do things I would rather prefer not to do.
And I trust not only that Jesus existed, but that he is the one who loved me so much that he died for me - to open the way so that I know God as my Father in heaven, and who can give me constant new starts
And I trust that the Holy Spirit, the presence and power of God, will come and work in me, and change, and transform me so that I become more like Jesus Christ.
Our joy, our celebration, our hope today is for William, that this baptism will make the beginning of what, we pray, is a lifelong journey with God. At first, he needs to be carried on that journey by you, but later we pray he will walk it on his own.
Our hope is that he will be taught, learn and know the wisdom that has been handed down to us from the past. When the King at his coronation was handed the Bible, these words were said,
“Receive this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; This is the royal Law; These are the lively Oracles of God.”
Our hope is that he will know the love and faithfulness both of God and people, and that he will be filled with love.
And our hope is that he will grow daily in his love and trust of the God who loves him, so that he really does become the person who God created him to be and to do the good works that God created him for.
