Baptism Homily-The Original "Glow Up"

The Street Light: Study of Light, Giacomo Balla (1909)

A homily given during Holy Baptism at St Olave Hart Street on Saturday 7th February 2026 based on an extract of a text written by Terry Pratchett ‘The Little Spark’ and Mark 10.13-16.

 
Why are we here?

Because of this bundle of light and joy. Baby Clio.

Newborns light up a room. Like holding a buttercup under your chin, like holding a small candle in a huge room, these tiny people somehow seem to have the power to light up all those around them. Our eyes widen — we smile — as we watch them experience the newness of life. Learning, growing. We see ourselves in them. We see the past and we see the future.

There’s something primal about gathering around a flame. And this little spark has drawn us all here today.

To this ancient place, dedicated to a saint who was a warrior and became known as a healer. A place one famous poet called a country church in the heart of the City. A place where polar opposites are held together in a sacred tension.

A place where people have been drawn for nearly a thousand years because they know that life isn’t always flood-lit like a stadium, nor as dark as the depths of the sea, but usually somewhere in between — in the twilight - where shadows dance and even the tiniest spark can catch our eyes, inspire our minds, and warm our hearts. We are here to pause for a moment in our busy lives, to notice it.

It is from a light so great that its spark has been planted in every part of creation, in every living thing. Every one of us carries it inside — like stardust. We can see it when we share it, using the gifts we have been given by God to be the person He meant us to be: the gift of music, of art, of laughter. We believe this light — this love — is a gift given to all, even to those who may not yet recognise its source. As the reading from Terry Pratchett reminds us, we are called to nurture that light, to help that delicate flickering flame keep burning. This is not something we can do alone, but requires community. Christians call that community the Church. And today we welcome Clio into it.

Pratchett — and the Bible — reminds us that each of us is unique. Each flame burns and flickers in its own way, with its own colour. We cannot create that flame — only God can do that — but throughout history, humankind has done its best to try to snuff out the flames of others, or to shine more brightly than those around them so only they can be seen. Our calling as Christians, people who try to follow the light of Christ every day, is to recognise the spark in ourselves and in each other and allow each of these sparks to flicker freely, without trying to get in God’s way.

Learning to respect and accept this God-given freedom in others is not always easy. It is a challenge — perhaps the greatest one. A cross we have to bear. Even the disciples found it hard, trying to stop children coming to Jesus, as we heard in the Gospel reading. Jesus rebukes them gently but firmly: “Let the little children come to me.”

Let us all have the freedom to be the person we were meant to be.

As one famous writer explained, meeting another Christian in this way is “an occasion for joy.” Because that is when we experience true joy. When we truly meet each other recognising and being accepting of each other’s God given freedom.

Today, it is a joy to meet Clio, to welcome her into this great and growing family of faith. And it is a joy to be surrounded by all of you, who will help and support her to become the person that God has made her to be.

As we pause to share in this moment, in this place where polar opposites are held together in sacred tension, in the midst of a world where shadows dance, the sparks in each of us are kindled anew. And thanks to this one tiny spark, we all glow brighter.

To coin a trendy phrase, baptism is the original “glow-up.” The spark that God has given is lifted into his light, surrounded by blessing, welcomed into a community, and sent out on its way to flourish.


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The Street Light: Study of Light, Giacomo Balla (1909)