Baptism

When we stand ankle deep in the river

Or completely immersed in the pool,

When we take the great step that will never

Be taken by him who’s a fool,

We know that the seas and the ocean

Will wash and refresh every shore

And banish the darkest illusion

That polluted those beaches before.

The rain washes down on the mountain,

The stream flows across every rock,

The birds are refreshed in the fountain

Of life-giving water.   Each block

Which once caused us to stumble,

Each obstacle placed in our way,

The fears that made us all fumble,

Are here speedily washed away.

The water pours out and anoints us

With life and with love and with grace,

And the Spirit of God now appoints us

To Him as we stand in this place.

The people of God here assemble,

The light of the Church drives the shades

From the place.   Now the saints are atremble

In God’s presence, where they all parade

In support of the one who’s invited

Into salvation from sin,

Which Christ has forever requited

By His sacrifice.   Now we begin

To know that the Spirit is with us,

The anointing and washing is done,

The baptised have become the believers

And can walk hand in hand with God’s Son.

The Spirit of God breathes and reaches

To all who have now gathered here

On the shores of Heaven; the beaches

Of paradise on earth appear.

The sacrament is never ended,

It stays with us throughout our life,

Our souls and our spirits are blended

In Him in whom all our belief

Is focussed and actioned in Charity,

And Hope that we’ll always be sure

Of His strength, and His triune parity,

And a Faith that in Him remains pure.