BAPTISM—THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD RESTS UPON US

                The Christmas season comes to a close with our celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord proclaims a theophany, a revelation and manifestation of Jesus as God. Jesus is no longer the child of the Bethlehem manger, but the Redeemer making his way to Jerusalem. The most wondrous part of the Christ story is yet to be revealed. Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan becomes the moment of God’s “anointing” of his Messiah for the work he is about to do.

                Through our own baptism we, too, become children of God. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon us. In baptism, we take on the name of “Christian” and embrace all that the holy name means: to live for others rather than for ourselves, in imitation of Christ.

                As we enter the church we sign ourselves with the holy water of baptism making the sign of the cross as we do so. The original meaning of the sign of the cross was a renewal of our Baptism, each time it was made. As we touch our forehead, chest, and shoulders, we repeat the words by which we became Christians and were born into the Body of Christ, the Church. We recommit ourselves to be formed into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit.