Dear Family at Christ Community,

     This Sunday we will witness and celebrate the baptism of Naomi Alexandra McLeroy. Baptism will not automatically save Naomi. Yet it is a means of grace that we pray the Holy Spirit will use to draw her to faith early in life. By the Spirit, her baptism will point Naomi to Jesus and guide her in cultivating faith in Him over the long haul.

     Mary exemplifies the way to cultivate faith over the long haul in Luke 2:1-21. She treasures up the events surrounding Jesus’ birth so that she can ponder them in her heart (2:19). As Dale Ralph Davis explains, “Mary here serves as a reminder that not all insight and grasp of truth is instant or immediate, but that it often comes with time and exposure and mulling over what God has shown us” (Luke 1-13: The Year of the Lord’s Favor, 49).

     What a gift that God has given Naomi parents who are vowing to be faithful (not perfect!) in giving her opportunities to treasure and ponder the Gospel. As you prepare to witness her baptism, ask the Lord to use this means of grace to make His Word fruitful in Naomi’s heart over the long haul. Ask the Holy Spirit to equip Becca and Jared as they teach their daughter to worship our humble King. And ask the Spirit to help you treasure the means of grace for your growth in joy and peace as you worship and ponder Christ this Advent season!

Yours in union with Christ,
Matt O’Sullivan