Down

Up from the dust God fashioned man, and raised him up to share in the life of God. But Adam, in his rebellion, dragged the whole human race down, down, down into the yawning caverns of sinful enmity with God, the Giver of life. So God brought down on Adam and all his kindred a doom: when you sink into death, you not only will go down into the dust from which you were made, but you will descend into the everlasting death. We are doomed to go down into depths of the sorrowful darkness of God’s just wrath.

Before despair weighs us down, the Gospel trumpet is raised to sound a soothing note. The first Adam dragged us down, so God sent a second Adam. Down Christ came from the celestial glories of heaven’s court. Down into the strife of man’s unhappiness. Down He went washing feet, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrites, chastising money-grubbers, and welcoming overlooked children. Down He went into the grave, and by God’s power He came up out of that grave with you in tow. He ascended up to the Father’s right hand to save a place for you. As this baptismal water pours down upon this covenant child, be reminded that though you were doomed to sink down in death, God, through baptism into Christ, raises you up into everlasting life.

So welcome our sister to Jesus Christ…