Fr. Micah begins today’s sermon by contrasting the Christian tradition of celebrating one’s name day with the more modern practice of celebrating one’s birthday. He explains that one’s name day is the day that has eternal significance rather than mere biological significance. It is the day of one’s birth within the church, a remembrance of one’s baptism.

On this eve of Theophany, Fr. Micah further explores the significance of baptism through stories from the Old Testament related to baptism. First is creation, when the Holy Spirit hovered over the surface of the waters on the first day. This foreshadows our own new beginning, our own first day, through the waters of baptism. Next is the flood, when the waters destroyed the earth. Through baptism, Christ destroyed the chaos that had tormented mankind. Through our own baptisms, we begin to destroy the old man bound by passions. Finally, there is the story of the exodus from Egypt, when God turned back the waters of the Red Sea. Through baptism, Christ reverses the flow from birth to death. Through Christ’s death, we now find everlasting life.

In these stories, we see the significance of baptism — the newness it brings, the cleansing it causes, and the freedom it creates.