The Baptism of the Lord is part of the threefold epiphany moments of the life of Christ. Epiphany comes form the Greek epiphaneia which means appearance or manifestation. Epiphany is God’s way of revealing himself to his people. In the Baptism of Jesus, the heavens open and the Father’s voice is heard, “Beloved.”

Here are two ideas.

First, Jesus demonstrates how close he desires to walk with us. He is baptized as if to commit himself to our human state. To walk with us and to be near us. He is baptized to mark the beginning of his ministry among the poor and marginalized.

Second, his baptism is a foreshadowing of the dying and rising he will undergo in the Cross. As we are baptized, we are marked by the Cross as claimed for Christ. We hear the Father’s voice echoing to us, “Beloved.” We are marked for Christ to share in his life, dying, and rising in glory. Baptism marks us for the journey to the Heaven.

The celebration of the Baptism of the Lord is the conclusion of the Christmas Season. We tuck away the festive garland and ornaments. We wrap up the lights of the holidays and move onward in the winter season into Ordinary Time.

What now? Dan Frost’s arrangement of that beautiful poem The Work of Christmas gives a hint. Take a listen …

For the final time this season: Merry Christmas everyone!