The Oasis - January 8, 2025

Author: Rev. Erich Dupee
January 08, 2025

We have entered the season of Epiphany. The word epiphany means “manifestation.” The scriptures assigned for the next few weeks include stories revealing the true nature of Jesus. This Sunday is Baptism of the Lord Sunday. As we talked about baptism in Bible study, I recalled a description of a baptism from the book Walking Words by Eduardo Galeano. The church gave the baptized gifts in an effort to teach the young man what was sacred. This is how Galeano described it:
They gave him a seashell: “So you’ll learn to love water.”
They opened a cage and let a bird go free: “So you’ll learn to love the air.”
They gave him a geranium: “So you’ll learn to love the earth.”
And they gave him a little bottle sealed up tight: “Don’t ever, ever open it. So you’ll learn to love mystery.”
That is some beautiful symbolism. I wish we could do all our baptisms that way at First Parish. As we approach Baptism of the Lord Sunday, I invite you to think about your baptism. What does it mean to you that you were baptized into the body of Christ? Do you know the vows you spoke or that were spoken on your behalf?
Keep in mind we have a hymn sing this Sunday beginning at 9:45am. The “Out to Lunch Bunch” will go to lunch after worship. And may 2025 be filled with continued learning to love water, air, earth, and mystery.

-Eric

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