October 22, 2023 —
What is confirmation? At it’s core, confirmation is when a Christian is given the opportunity to make a public confession of their faith in Jesus.
When little children are baptized, sponsors and the congregation confess the faith into which the child is being baptized, since little children can’t say those words themselves yet. But in baptism faith is implanted in a child’s heart. Can little children actually trust in Jesus? Well, can a little child trust its mother? Of course she can, long before she can even say the word “mommy.”
In time, a child learns to say “mommy” and “daddy” and everyone is thrilled to hear it! In the same way our baptized children are taught to know Jesus and confess His name. In addition we teach them the “Six Chief Parts” of the Christian faith, summarized in Luther’s Small Catechism. By the time a child has learned these Bible teachings, they are able to properly examine themselves so they can enjoy the benefits of partaking of the Lord’s Supper. And they show this by publicly reaffirming—confirming—their baptismal vows once spoken by others for them.
On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Emilia Rovey will confirm her baptismal vows and partake for the first time of the Sacrament of the Altar—Jesus’ body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.