Celebrating Everyone's Baptism Birthday
Concordia Publishing has a bunch of good ideas for celebrating the "birthday" of a child's baptism. These could also be used for a church-wide day of celebrating. There are good suggestions for things you can do at home too, like taking a "cross walk" around your neighborhood.
When to celebrate everyone's baptism?
As mentioned in a previous post, Jesus' Baptism is celebrated on the first Sunday AFTER Three Kings Day (Epiphany), which is the first Sunday after January 6th every year. It comes on the heels of the tradition of "New Year's Resolutions" too, so that's a natural thematic fit.
The Day of Pentecost is another option for celebrating our "baptism birthdays." Pentecost is the baptism of the Church by the Holy Spirit and is often called "the birthday of the Church." Of course, this is a springtime date.
The biblical connection between baptism, Jesus' baptism, and Pentecost can be found in the words of John the Baptist:
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
[I once heard a great sermon about water baptism "being only the beginning of our baptism." —that the baptism by Spirit and Fire were yet to come and happen throughout a person's life.]
Baptism Shell Soap Project
The seashell is an ancient symbol of baptism, and shells make a great mold for quick-setting "melt and pour" soap making. You can also buy silicone shell molds. It is a great take-home reminder about baptism, and something the kids could give to the congregation as well.
Here's a video of DiY "melt and pour" soap making. It takes about 2 to 4 hours to harden this type of soap. Lots of DiY "melt and pour" soap suggestions are online. Here's one that has all you need to know, including a supply list and instructions.
You could mix the colors into one shell soap or make different colored shells or make different shapes to represent the symbols of water and fire and spirit.
There are other similar videos. Keep in mind that this is the "melt and pour" type of soap that is easier to work with and hardens quicker.