Creating Family Traditions Around Baptism Birthdays
A Memory
“Anna Jedick, please come forward.” It was one of the few times a year, the school would use my given name “Anna” instead of my nickname “Annie.” It was baptism birthday week! Every Wednesday I would attend chapel at my Lutheran grade school. Once Wednesday a month, the pastor would celebrate all the “baptism birthdays” that occurred that month. My baptism birthday was May 25, so May was my month. After calling us up, the pastor would bless us and give us a “birthday” card. I think there were a few variations, but the one I remember had a shell with three drops of water and the verse. “I have called you by name, Anna Jedick, you are mine.”
Baptism Birthdays
My son and I both have baptism birthdays this week! What is a baptism birthday you may ask? It’s the day you were baptized which signifies the day that you were “born again.” (Although to be noted for some people, these two things might not correspond.) A physical birthday marks and remembers the day that we were born on this Earth. Unfortunately, those days will one day come to end. But our baptism birthday, or our spiritual birthday, marks and remembers the day we started our eternal life. Eternal life begins when we come to know Jesus, and it continues forever even after we die and leave this earthly life. Which one is greater? Why our Baptism Birthday of course! Yet so few people celebrate their baptisms or even know when they were baptized. I am so thankful for my Lutheran grade school who made a point to celebrate them!
Family Traditions
Now that I have a child of my own, I want to celebrate his baptism birthday. We have a photo calendar of important dates for the family and extended family: birthdays, anniversaries etc. I also include my husband’s, my child’s, and my baptism birthday on the calendar, so we don’t forget them.
On the actual day, the birthday person gets to choose a special sweet treat, and we sing “Happy Baptism Birthday.” My son is only three, so we’ve only enacted this tradition twice now, but I like the idea and want to keep it up. My son now knows that baptisms are something to celebrate! And that makes me happy. I’m sure as he ages, our baptism birthday traditions will evolve—especially as he gains a greater understanding of birthdays. I’m sure next year he will ask of a gift. 😂 But I’m looking forward to creating traditions that one day he may replicate with his own family.
Note: Even though I was baptized as an infant, if you practice adult baptism, you can still celebrate!
What about you?
Do you know your baptism birthday? Do you acknowledge or celebrate it? I’d love for you to share any ideas on how to celebrate baptisms? Please leave your ideas in the comments!
Discipling Your Kids
Celebrating baptism birthdays is one way to disciple your kids! If you have any other cool things that you do as a family, please share in the comments!
Prayer Book for Boys
If you are looking for resources to help you disciple your children in the Lord, subscribe to my blog. I’m planning on publishing a prayer book for young boys sometime this year. If you subscribe, then I can email you the details when they become available. I’ll also be writing posts or newsletters to give sneaks peeks of the illustrations.
Share
Share this post on social media to help people celebrate their baptisms!
