This was a special Christmas Sunday--with all seven of our children home and well enough to go to church--in between bouts of sickness.
With the girls all dressed in red and black, I wanted a picture of them just for myself--
but to share with you as well!
Jonathan was kind enough to pose with me for this special picture.
Christmas Sunday morning we had been invited to the baptism of the son of home school friends.
We could not imagine anything more special on a Christmas Sunday.
The pastor incorporated Christmas and baptismal themes into one message, using as his text the verse about Jesus at eight days old being named Jesus at His circumcision.
The pastor explained how that Christ's coming freed us from the bondage of the law,
and how baptism now takes the place of circumcision.
Baptism, like all things new under the new covenant, is so much better.
Under the laws of circumcision, only Jews and males were included.
Under Christ, all may be baptized who believe in Him--
Jew and Gentile,
male and female,
adults and children.
These thoughts were new to us, and we love learning under Pastor Matt Holst's teaching/pastoring ministry when we have a chance to go.
Here, Peter Tschappler, age 12, is sharing his testimony.
The baptism was by laying on of hands that had been dipped in water,
three times with the names of the Trinity.
Pastor Holst explained how Paul appealed
to baptism as a means of unifying God's people in the church, whereas
many people today use means and modes of baptism as a reason to divide.
Whether immersing, pouring, sprinkling, or laying on of wet hands,
the issue is whether or not you believe in Jesus as your personal Savior,
confessing and acknowledging your sin, and trusting in Him alone for your salvation. 
Then Peter's family and church elders had prayer over him.
It was very, very special to be part of this service.
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