Baptism of the Lord

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus presents himself to John to be baptized in the Jordan.  This is a Trinitarian event: as Jesus emerges from the water, the Holy Spirit descends from heaven as a dove, and we hear a voice naming Jesus as God's beloved Son.  In ancient Christian tradition, the Baptism of the Lord is closely connected with the Epiphany as both are manifestations of God's saving purpose through Jesus Christ; accordingly, these festivals are adjacent to one another in the Christian calendar.  The Baptism of the Lord also foreshadows the season of Lent, as the Gospels tells us that Jesus was driven into the wilderness for forty days after his own baptism.

At this festival of the Christian year, we not only remember Jesus' baptism, but also give thanks for the baptism we share with Christ.  Therefore, this Sunday is an appropriate time to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism or for the reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant.

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- from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship (2018)