The Baptism of the Lord
Feast day: January 8 (in 2024)
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Jesus’ baptism is described in all four Gospels and it marks the beginning of his public ministry. We know that — since Jesus was born without sin — he did not really need to be baptized. And yet, Jesus welcomes his own baptism as an example for the rest of us and as a sign of his true identity. He is God’s son, the living presence of God on earth. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the Christmas season.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God,
who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan
and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him,
solemnly declared him your beloved Son,
grant that your children by adoption,
reborn of water and the Holy Spirit,
may always be well pleasing to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
