Every year in the atrium, from the time children enter at 3, they will spend time contemplating the beautiful gift of Baptism. Each year our understanding of this sacrament expands. In level 3, we spent time looking at the 3 distinct moments of the rite and the prayers that accompany them - the first takes place at the doors of the church, the second at the font, and the last at the altar. As a parent, bringing my child to the altar always made me aware that I was giving her back to God and of the gift He'd given me by allowing me to parent her. The realization that this was also symbolic of the Good Shepherd welcoming her to the table grew slowly. This year we talked about the last moments of Baptism in conjunction with Holy Communion and the words of Jesus: "I have longed to share this meal with you."
As always, it is a gift to share scripture with the children.
In the peace of the Good Shepherd ~
Beate
