The Beloved!

The Baptism of the Lord

Today we celebrate the last Sunday in Christmas Time. The readings introduce us to the events we will listen to during Ordinary Time. Today we will read about the Baptism of Jesus. This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, about which we will hear more in the upcoming Ordinary Time Sundays.

There was no need for Jesus to be baptised. Jesus had no sin to be forgiven. But through his baptism, Jesus showed us what we had to do. When we are baptised, sin is forgiven, we are free from what we call Original Sin, we also become sons and daughters of God and members of the Church. Baptism is our initiation to Christian living and during our life we keep Jesus as our role model, we base our decisions and choices on his witness. 

To baptise means to “plunge.” It is a powerful symbol to help us understand this sacrament. The water cleans us from our previous way of life and starts us on a new way of living, we live in Christ. Baptism asks us to live as true Christians and just as Jesus received strength and help from the Holy Spirit, we too receive what we need to be followers of Christ. Being Christian does not imply that we will not meet with difficulties and sufferings. The Holy Spirit, gives us the courage to face these situations with belief and in faith, knowing that God is with us.

Baptism makes us part of the Body of Christ. Like all sacraments, baptism comes with responsibilities; we are to live this sacrament. We are duty bound to continue with the mission that Jesus initiated. Jesus wants to reach others through us. Through us, he wants others to know his love, mercy, and forgiveness. 

In this Gospel, we hear how Jesus was baptised like the rest of the people. We also hear that he prayed. Whilst praying the Holy Spirit descended upon him and he was revealed as the Son of God. In this Gospel reading, and in other passages, Jesus shows us the importance of prayer. We often meet Jesus distancing himself from the others to pray. And on our part, do we spend time in prayer, every day?

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 3, 15-16.21-22) 

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Today the Church gives us the opportunity to reflect on our baptism. This was not an event which happened years ago and that was that. It is a process, where we mature as part of the Body of Christ. How much do you feel part of this Body of Christ?
  4. A reflection attributed to St Teresa of Avila, says, “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world; yours are the feet with which He walks to do good; yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” Baptism calls us to become like Christ. Use this reflection to examine the way that you live.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare:
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (3, 15-16.21-22)
    ii. A white pillar candle
    iii. Cover the table with a white cloth
    iv. A bowl with holy water
    v. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

Do you have a photograph of your baptism, at home? Do you know that even Jesus was baptised? Let us listen to this story, in today’s Gospel.

  • When we are baptised, we become part of God’s big family
  • God the Father loves Jesus, and he loves us in the same way, too
  • Photograph of your baptism
  • Printout of today’s activity
  • Colour pencils
  • Decorations
  • Glue
  • An A4 photo frame 
Printout for girlsDownload
Printout for boysDownload

You do not remember the day of your baptism since you were very young. Nonetheless, Jesus was baptised when he was a grown-up man. Jesus did not need to be baptised. One of the gifts we receive in our baptism is the forgiveness of sin. Jesus never sinned, but he was baptised to be an example for us. This means that Jesus showed us what we had to do.

When Jesus was baptised, the voice of God the Father was heard. God the Father said that he was pleased with Jesus. What do you think God meant by this?

It means that God the Father was proud of Jesus. He was happy with the way that Jesus was living and with the way he behaved. Did you ever do something, and mummy or daddy told you how proud of you they were? 

(note to parents: mention the occasions that you were proud of your children)

Do you know that God is also proud of you when you do what is good? When you behave like Jesus, God is very happy. God loves you and tells you: “You are my beloved son/daughter; with you I am well pleased.”

To remember that God loves you, you are going to decorate your baptism photo and put it somewhere where you will often see it. You have a printout. At the top write down your name. Go over the dotted words to make them clear. Fix your baptism photo and decorate the rest of the space. When you are ready, put it in the frame. Whilst doing this activity, listen to, I am a child of God.

On the fridge or somewhere else in the house, do you have a calendar with the birthdays marked on it? Most probably on this calendar, you will have other important dates marked as well. Are the dates of your baptism shown too? These are important dates, and they should be celebrated. When we are baptised, we become part of God’s family. This is why it is such an important date! With the help of your parents, mark the baptism dates of all the members of the family on the calendar. Then, on this day, celebrate together. Light the baptism candle, or another candle, with holy water make the sign of the cross on your forehead and pray for that person who is celebrating the anniversary of his/her baptism. Look at the photographs/watch the DVD of that person’s baptism. It would be great if the godparents are also invited for this celebration.

Sign of the cross.

Lord God, thank you for the gift of Baptism. Help us to live as your children, help us to love others like Jesus. Amen.

Note to parents: to explain original sin and baptism, watch these clips with your children: 
What is Original Sin?
What is Baptism?

Today, it is the last Sunday in Christmas Time, and in the Gospel, we will hear about Jesus’ baptism. 

  • We are not only members of our family, but through Baptism, we also became part of God’s family
  • Printout of today’s activity
  • Pencil
  • Colours 
ActivityDownload

Jesus is God. Jesus never did anything which was wrong; Jesus never sinned. Jesus did not need to be baptised. However, when he was baptised, he gave us an example of what we are to do.

When we are baptised, we are free from original sin, we become children of God and part of the Church. We become brothers and sisters, all part of the same family. Therefore, this makes us responsible for each other, we take care of each other. Jesus was baptised before he started his public ministry. In the same way, we are baptised before we start our Christian life, it is in fact the first sacrament that we celebrate. The Holy Spirit helps us to live in the way that God desires. Jesus showed us the way that we should live. Even Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit? To know more about the Holy Spirit, watch here.

For today’s activity, you are going to form words from the word BAPTISM. These words should reflect the effect of Baptism. For example, Brothers and sisters: through Baptism we become brothers and sisters of Jesus and to the other members of the Church. Candle: the candle used in Baptism is a symbol of Jesus who is the light of the world, and the light which shows us the right and true way. When you are ready, you may colour the picture at the top, whilst listening to Children of God. 

On the fridge or somewhere else in the house, do you have a calendar with the birthdays marked on it? Most probably on this calendar, you will have other important dates marked as well. Are the dates of your baptism shown too? These are important dates, and they should be celebrated. When we are baptised, we become part of God’s family. This is why it is such an important date! With the help of your parents, mark the baptism dates of all the members of the family on the calendar. Then, on this day, celebrate together. Light the baptism candle, or another candle, with holy water, make the sign of the cross on your forehead and pray for that person who is celebrating the anniversary of his/her baptism. Renew your baptismal promises. Look at the photographs/watch the DVD of that person’s baptism. It would be great if the godparents are also invited for this celebration.

Sign of the cross.

Today, renew your baptismal promises:

Do you reject Satan? – I do.
And all his works? – I do.
And all his empty promises? – I do.
Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? – I do.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? – I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? – I do.

God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel in symbols Download

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.