Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Happy New Year!

Christmastide is almost over; it ends with Epiphany on Wednesday, January 6. The Christmas season has been wonderful this year in this community of faith, as we have engaged ancient spiritual practices, both personal and corporate, to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ. My favorite is always the Christmas Eve service with communion and candlelight. How about you?

In the liturgical year, the first Sunday after Epiphany is always The Baptism of the Lord Sunday. So, as far as the church year is concerned, Jesus grows up quickly. Next Sunday we will celebrate the beginning of his ministry as he receives the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove after he is baptized.

To go with this theme of water and visitations from heaven, the lectionary provides us with Psalm 29, a beautiful Psalm of God's power in creation as the psalmist describes God's presence in a storm:
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
worship the Lord in holy splendor.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the ceders of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wildreness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory."

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!


Witnessing a powerful storm even from in a strong, secure house can be an awe-evoking experience. Can you imagine the feeling of the ancient peoples as they experienced storms from much more vulnerable locations? Have you had an overwhelmingly powerful experience of God while out in nature? What has God done lately that makes you want to respond, "Glory!" like the psalmist?

More later in the week.