What a year 2007 was for me! Mary Ellen and I moved to Southwest Florida, purchased a home, immediately began the cycle of visitations, attended the Believe in a Miracle event, worked on the consecration service details, was consecrated bishop, attended the House of Bishops meetings, dedicated new school classrooms, dedicated a church renovation, blessed the shrimp fleet, ordained three deacons and three priests, participated in a consultation with African and American bishops in Spain, lost my mother in death, was invested as the fifth bishop of the diocese, chaired diocesan convention for the first time, attended a diocesan vestry retreat, a Men’s Ministries retreat, met with groups of retired clergy and spouses, and meetings, meetings, meetings!

Then, we received the precious joy of the birth of our granddaughter! (I was always amused by grandparents who constantly gushed about their grandchildren ... and now I am doing the same thing.)

Our granddaughter was adopted. It is said that the Church is in the business of baptism. That is a theological statement of great depth but suffice it to say here that the Church is, by its very nature and purpose, involved in inviting people to the waters of baptism and equipping them then to live baptismally.

In St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians he writes, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (4:4-5) This and other passages informs our understanding of baptism, that it is a status of God choosing us. My daughter did not have to choose to adopt her daughter. Yet she did choose her and increased joy in the family. I find it helpful to remember that in our baptisms God’s joy is increased in choosing us. What a wonderful and eternal reality.

As we begin 2008 together, it is also helpful to remember that we begin every new calendar year with the January observance of the Baptism of Our Lord the Sunday after the Epiphany. This liturgical observance reminds us that Jesus Christ, in his own baptism, chose solidarity with us. In our own baptisms, we then, accept God’s choosing us and choose solidarity with God through his son, Jesus.

It is 2008. This new year will have its own excitements, sorrows, ups and downs, challenges and victories. Whatever we face, though, we can face with boldness because God has joyfully adopted us. We have been chosen to be part of God’s family. That is our family identity.

I invite you to remember that on a personal level. Living baptismally is living with this identity: I am an heir with Christ. We have been chosen.

Choose to live like it.