Resources For The Baptism Of Our Lord Sunday

The first Sunday after Epiphany is the celebration of the baptism of Jesus. This article provides an introduction to worship on this day and some resources for worship planning. The baptism of Jesus was a major event celebrated in the worship of the early church. The early Fathers saw this even as significant in the saving action of Christ. Here the divine Sonship of Christ is first announced: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). Furthermore, the ascent of the Spirit on Jesus was seen then and now as the anointing of Jesus for public ministry. And the baptism by John was evidence of the substitutionary character of that ministry, suggesting that Jesus was baptized for those for whom he would die. These themes are all captured in the appointed lessons for the day. Perhaps it is time for the Western church to make more of the Epiphany service as follow-up to the experience of Incarnation and a beginning to our own personal experience of the Christ who not on…