The first Sunday after Epiphany Christians around the world celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. It is a significant day in the life of Jesus and the Church. On this day, we remember Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, a moment of profound revelation (an epiphany!) and the beginning of His public ministry.
The Baptism and the Season of Epiphany
The Church celebrates the baptism of Jesus during Epiphanytide because it aligns with other key moments of revelation, such as the visit of the Magi and the miracle at Cana. Each of these events reveals who Jesus is and deepens our understanding of His divine mission.
The baptism of Jesus is not merely a historical moment; it is a profound theological event that reveals God’s nature, affirms Jesus' identity, and manifests the beginning of His redemptive mission. This is why the Church holds it as a central Epiphany, a divine unveiling that calls believers to reflect on the mystery and majesty of Christ.
The story of Jesus’ baptism is recounted in all four Gospels, emphasizing its significance. Jesus approached John the Baptist as he was baptizing in the Jordan River and asked to be baptized. Initially, John hesitated, saying it should be the other way around. But Jesus responded:
“Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” —Matthew 3:15
John consented and baptized Jesus. At that moment, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the voice of God declared:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” —Matthew 3:17
This was not just a moment for Jesus—it was an epiphany for all who were present. The Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, was revealed, working together in perfect unity.
The Significance of Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism of Jesus is a moment of profound significance in the Gospels, serving as a cornerstone of Christian theology and faith. First and foremost, it is a revelation of the Trinity. At His baptism, God the Father speaks from heaven, declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” while the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove. This visible and audible manifestation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together marks the first clear revelation of the triune God, affirming Jesus’ divine identity and mission.
This event also signifies the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. For thirty years, He had lived in relative obscurity, but His baptism inaugurates His role as the Messiah and Redeemer. From this moment, He embarks on His mission to preach the Kingdom of God, perform miracles, and ultimately offer His life for the salvation of humanity. His baptism serves as a public declaration of His purpose, setting the stage for everything that follows in His ministry.
Even though Jesus was sinless and had no need of repentance, His baptism demonstrates His humility and obedience to God’s plan. By submitting to baptism, He identifies fully with humanity, embracing our need for redemption. It is an act that sanctifies the waters of baptism, making them a means of grace for all believers. Through His baptism, Jesus models the significance of this sacrament, inviting His followers to enter into a life of faith, repentance, and renewal.
The baptism of Jesus also foreshadows His death and resurrection. Baptism, as a sacrament, symbolizes dying to sin and rising to new life. When Jesus enters the waters of the Jordan, He points forward to the ultimate act of redemption He will accomplish through the cross and the empty tomb. In this way, His baptism is not only a moment of revelation but also a profound act of anticipation and promise.
Finally, the baptism of Jesus calls believers to reflect on their own baptism. It reminds us of the grace we have received and the covenant we have entered into as followers of Christ. It is a moment to reaffirm our identity as God’s beloved children and to recommit ourselves to living out our faith. The baptism of Jesus is a powerful reminder of the unity between heaven and earth, the humility of Christ, and the call to share in His mission of redemption and love.
Ways to Celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord
Read Matthew 3:13-17. Reflect on what Jesus’ baptism means for us today. Consider these questions: Why did Jesus choose to be baptized by John? How does the revelation of the Trinity deepen your understanding of God? What does your baptism mean to you?
Renew Your Baptismal Vows. In churches all over the world, Christians gather and renew their baptismal vows. After the renewal, the priest walks among the people and asperges them with holy water, reminding them of their baptism and the cleansing and renewal it wrought. If attending a church service is not possible, here is the renewal of baptismal vows.
Get wet. Around the world, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord is celebrated with water-centered traditions: In Eastern Europe, Christians jump into icy waters, symbolizing purification and renewal. In Greece, a priest throws a wooden cross into the sea, and young men dive to retrieve it, symbolizing the light of Christ being brought into the world. Take a swim in a body of water or fill a bowl with water and dip your fingers in it as a reminder of your baptism. Make the sign of the cross and say, “I am baptized in Christ.”
Make Zalabee (Syrian doughnuts). In Syria, Christians make Zalabee for the feast. These doughnut-shaped cakes are fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sugar to signify sweet and everlasting life. Although the method for making these cakes has been simplified, at one time the dough used for the cakes was the result of being ‘baptized.’ The ceremony for the baptizing of the dough began with wrapping the dough in a white cloth. It was then carried to a fountain and immersed in the name of the Holy Trinity. The dough hung in the tree for three days and was taken to the house. Miraculously, the dough rose without yeast! This new leavened dough provided the yeast for the next year. From this dough, small crosses were made and placed wherever food was stored in the home and Zalabee was made.
the recipe -
Carrying the Light Forward
The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord invites us to reflect on the gift of baptism and its meaning in our lives. Just as Jesus began His public ministry after His baptism, we are called to live out our baptismal calling by sharing the Good News, serving others, and growing in our faith.
Let this day be a reminder of the promises made at baptism, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and the mission we are called to fulfill as followers of Christ.
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