Happy New Year!!! Well almost. The new year is always such an exciting time. Everyone is remembering what they liked about 2010. They are also remembering the things that they didnt do and things they should have done better. People are making promises of how they can have a better year. It is a time of renewal and recommitment. 2011 will be different. During this holiday we all think of what we want to change in ourselves. We become reborn as we welcome in the new year. Many make promises with themselves to do better next year. Whatever your thoughts might be, Happy New Year.
There is great symbolism in leaving one year behind and stepping into another. We make a similar commitment when we are baptized. When we are baptized we promise to leave our old life behind and start a new life as followers of Jesus Christ. We promise to always remember him and to keep his commandments to the end of our lives. As well as this, we become reborn as we welcome in the new chapter. Paul teaches us in Romans 6:4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." After baptism we walk a new walk. We follow the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ.
As we welcome in the new year let us remember the sacred nature of baptism and how important it is or could be in your life. If there is anything in your life that you need to change in order to be worthy of your covenants or to prepare for baptism then make them. This life is too short. You only get so many New Years. Walk in a newness of life and make promises to do better now. The amazing thing about baptism is you dont have to wait until the year ends. Every Sunday we renew our baptismal promises when we partake of the sacrament. At the beginning of every week we rededicate ourselves. We recommit to following our Saviors example.
I know that if we all made changes now we would be much happier and we would see God in our lives. We will be witnesses to countless miracles. The grace of God is sufficient for us all if we but make the choice to change. Be reborn. Be baptized.
It is so true, We can really come closer to Jesus Christ if we are baptized! It is a great time of the season to make such goals too!
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