Baptism of our Lord 2025

 

Monday musical meditations on God's good news






















An opening prayer:

    From wilderness to Jordan came 
    The final prophet to proclaim
    That judgment soon was to begin 
    To punish mankind for its sin.

    Although of Abraham’s descent, 
    Since all have sinned all must repent
    And, like the Gentiles, undergo 
    Baptizing, and their sorrow show.

    But when Christ came, no judgment dire
    Did he pronounce with venging fire;
    Himself baptizing underwent, 
    The sinless One, subservient.

    On him the Spirit as a dove 
    Descended, and the Father’s love
    Voiced his approval that the One 
    Baptized was his beloved Son.

    All who believe and are baptized 
    Are likewise by the Father prized.
    The Spirit rests upon us, too, 
    Impelling us God’s work to do.

    All glory, Lord, to you we pay 
    For your Epiphany today,
    And to the Father praise we bring, 
    As by the Spirit here we sing. Amen.



Luke 3:15–17, 21–22

  • While the people were filled with anticipation and they all wondered whether perhaps John could be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but one more powerful than I am is coming– I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
  • 17 "His winnowing fork is in his hand to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire." [...]
  • When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, 
  • 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased."
         helpful notes on Luke 3:15–20

Good news questions

  • If Jesus delighted to do whatever his Father said, and God was super-pleased with his Son, what does that mean for you, by God's Spirit?  

For others pray

  • That God spreads the good news of the kingdom of the Son he loves in the United Kingdom

J.S. Bach's beautiful music for today

  • Cantata 123 (YouTube, "Dearest Immanuel, most honored leader of the pious")
  • John Setterlund quotes:
    • "Dearest Immanuel, prince of the righteous, Savior of my soul, come quickly. ... Just as the dew refreshes the arid land, so my heart, even in peril and pain, is transported by the power of Jesus."
  • John Setterlund comments:
    • "Key to Jesus' baptism by John is the heavenly voice, designating Jesus as God's Son. In the cantata the name of Jesus is connected to Immanuel, God-with-us, and to Savior: 'Jesus sends me from heaven salvation and light ... My whole life shall be given up to you.'
    • "The presence of God's Son transforms life for every believer, like dew to arid land, like sunlight parting the storm clouds, joy overcoming sadness."





















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