On the Baptism of Our Second Granddaughter

“And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.”

–Gospel of Mark 1: 10 (NRSV)

“And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

–Gospel of Matthew 28: 20b (NRSV)

To see you, child, to gaze into your face,
Is to discern more than yourself alone.
For you are gift to us, oh, little one,
Come from the Father of all life and grace. 

Here once again we’re called in faith to love,
Drawn to the mystery of this two-fold birth,
The one from heaven and the one of earth:
The one below made whole by that above. 

As we renew our vows in this same place,
We sense once more the Holy Spirit move—
Eyes raised to see the white, descending dove.
And you are born again, Savannah Grace. 

Here, now—as then—He comes to bring us aid:
This is the promise that the Lord has made.

—Thomas H. Hubert