In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’^* This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
  make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

‘I baptize you with^* water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with^* the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Matthew 3:1-12

It’s been a quiet week at Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church, that little congregation over between Mesa and Gilbert and Chandler. While it should not have been a surprise, folks were a bit startled to see the transformation wrought by the Creative Spaces group in the sanctuary when they arrived for worship. Jennie and her crew had removed all the pumpkins and fall colors and replaced them with an assortment of royal blue banners heralding the Advent season. This year, rather than putting up a Jesse tree, a good idea that had never really caught on with the congregation, the crew had focused on the Advent wreath, stylized and in a different location just to the left of the altar. The four candles, three blue and one pink, were larger than usual and stood on different levels around the large central Christ candle. Interwoven among them were fresh balsam boughs that Jennie had gotten from a local Christmas tree lot.

Attendance was down a bit at worship, as it typically is on the Sunday following Thanksgiving, and because more adults had opted to go to the youth service, there were even fewer to hear what Pastor Baldridge had to say about hope, the chosen theme for the First Sunday of Advent. When the two groups of worshippers were united for the prayers and Holy Communion and as the offering was taken he did call attention to the fact that the following Tuesday would be Giving Tuesday, and if people had any money left from Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this would be a good time to remember Lutheran Social Services of Arizona. The recent decrees singling out Afghan refugees for special scrutiny and possible deportation have presented a challenge for LSS, and he wants people to know they need help.

After the service, during the fellowship time, Susan Gruen sought him out. She’s been working with Afghan refugees through another agency and she was grateful that he had called attention to the crisis. There were tears in her eyes as she described the fear she was seeing in those she was helping. Others joined the conversation, with most thanking him for making a recommendation for their giving. Everyone has been getting Giving Tuesday requests and it’s hard to figure out which ones are most in need. 

On Monday at the staff meeting Pastor Baldridge mentioned how much he appreciated the work of Creative Spaces in transforming the sanctuary for Advent. He asked if anyone had said anything about the missing Jesse Tree. Jennie laughed and said, “Back when we started using the Jesse Tree, I really thought it would catch on,  but I guess the symbolism of a dry leafless tree wasn’t the best for the dawning of a new year. No one said a word.” She paused, “But a lot of people really like the new Advent Candle Stand.”

As they continued their meeting, moving on to upcoming events, Pastor Baldridge mentioned that Syd and Kateryna McCovey had asked that their baby be baptized on December 7. Some were surprised that nothing had been said before, but Pastor Baldridge said he’d only found out after church the day before. At that point he hadn’t been able to think of any reason that couldn’t happen, but he wanted to check. As it turned out Jennie and Janice had no objections. Baptisms don’t require a lot of preparation and the choir cantata wasn’t scheduled until the 21st when it would be done in conjunction with the children’s Sunday School Christmas program. So there wouldn’t be an issue with a baptism on the 7th–in fact the staff was excited about it. Pastor Baldridge was glad to hear that since he already said a pretty firm “yes” and would be visiting Syd and Kateryna that night to work out the details.

He got over to the McCovey’s home about 7:00 just as they were cleaning up from their supper. Olga was so excited to see him and had to give him a tour of the whole house. In her eyes his presence was like that of a royal visit, like having Jesus himself in their home. Pastor Baldridge rather enjoyed the attention and followed her through every room, including her parent’s bedroom, where Petro Francis, or Petey as she called him, was sound asleep in his crib. Olga whispered loudly, “This is where Petey sleeps for now, but pretty soon we’ll get a new house, and then he’ll have his own room.”

Ah yes, that was the plan. Pastor Baldridge wondered to himself how long that might take. He knew they wouldn’t be able to get a house, and apartments were very expensive. At least they had a place to live–and for now it would be just fine. 

He settled down in an overstuffed chair in their family room while Syd and Kateryna sat in a love seat with Olga perched between them. Kateryna had given him a cup of mint tea before they sat down and he did his best to balance it on the arm of the chair as they talked. 

Syd was excited too, and anxious to tell Pastor Baldridge why they had chosen this Sunday. He said, “Not only will Petro be exactly 3 months old, the gospel text is all about the ministry of John the Baptist.” Pastor Baldridge didn’t quite get the connection but he didn’t say anything. He assumed that Syd would ultimately give him all the information he needed–and likely even more.

Syd continued by talking about his own baptism, which had taken place in a little stream just west of Tempe Town Lake in a riparian area that is a favorite haunt of the homeless. “It was just like I had imagined Jesus’ baptism to have been like.” Pastor Baldridge remembered. It had been a cold January day and he had caught a cold. Lacey had actually performed the baptism and it had been by immersion, Syd’s idea and not hers. He shivered now as he remembered the scene.

Syd said, “I don’t want Petro’s baptism to be like that, but I do want to ask a favor.” Pastor Baldridge nodded, and Syd continued. “I wonder if it would be possible for Lacey to do the baptism? I haven’t said anything to her yet, and wanted to talk to you first.”

Pastor Baldridge took a moment to answer. After so many years he’s gotten used to playing second fiddle to Lacey, but there is still a nagging voice that speaks up out of the darkness of his soul that encourages him to be hurt. Firmly stomping on that dark whisper he said, “Of course that would be possible, and it doesn’t surprise me a bit. Do you want to contact her?”

Kateryna spoke up, looking at Syd, “Oh, we think it would probably be better if you asked her. That way she’d be sure to know we weren’t trying to go around you.”

Pastor Baldridge nodded. He did appreciate their thoughtfulness. He said, “I’ll text Lacey tonight and we can talk about it tomorrow. I know she’s going to be at worship. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”

Syd smiled and said, “Good. This means a lot to me. Lacey was really like John the Baptist for me. It was through her that I came to know the gospel of grace that comes through Jesus. And now she can do the same for Petey! It won’t be quite the same…”

Olga interrupted, “Yeah, Petey will only know that water got poured on his head, and that’s about it.”

Pastor Baldridge said, “That’s exactly right, Olga. Petey is getting baptized into the Body of Christ, and it’s through that community of faith that he’ll come to know Jesus. He’s going to have a whole boatload of John the Baptists in his life. You too, Olga, you’re going to be John the Baptist for him. And I know you’ll do a wonderful job!’

Olga beamed, “And maybe I can get started now…I could help Lacey do the baptism. All I would need to do is dip my hand in the water and pour it over his head. I already do that every night during his bath to rinse the shampoo from his hair.”

Syd laughed and said, “Well, that’ll be up to Lacey, Olga. I don’t know if she’ll need any help. What do you think, Pastor?”

Pastor Baldridge just smiled and shrugged. He’d learned quite a while ago not to speak for Lacey. She definitely had her own ideas, but he imagined she would be open to this suggestion. He said, “You can ask her. I’m sure she’ll be calling you tomorrow.”

Conversation then turned to some of the other things that had to be settled before Sunday. Kateryna brought out the beautiful baptismal gown that Leticia Brown had given her. It had served well for their two children but she and Marcus have decided that Johnny will be their last child and she wanted Petro to have it as his gown. Olga said, “I think it looks like a dress, but Mama says that’s what they use for all baptisms in Ukraine. I wish we hadn’t lost mine  when we came here…then Petey could have used it too.”

Pastor Baldridge talked about sponsors, and Kateryna and Syd just looked at each other. Neither had family members who could be chosen, but there were so many other possibilities. And of course Olga volunteered…she’d be glad to do that too. Wiping a tear from her eye, Kateryna said, “I think Lacey and Brad would be perfect, but could she do the baptism and be a sponsor too?”

“Of course,” Pastor Baldridge said with a smile, “but I won’t ask her. You can do that….but it’s fine with me. They’d be the perfect couple.

At that point all conversation came to an end. Petey was done with sleeping and had let them know with a loud cry. Olga ran to get him, and brought him out still crying and deposited him in Pastor Baldridge’s lap, where he amazed everyone by falling back asleep. Pastor Baldridge chuckled, “My special gift. It happens all over the congregation every Sunday.”  And with a smile he handed Petey back to Syd. It had been a wonderful evening–the kind that made him happy to be a pastor.

That’s the word from Crown and Cactus Lutheran Church, where all the women are committed, the men are faithful, and the children are all growing in grace.