Epiphany: St. John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus ChristTubah 8, 1726 AM-January 16, 2010

Memory Verse• “This is My beloved Son, in whom I

am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

Introduction• When do we celebrate the Baptism of

Our Lord Jesus Christ– Tubah 11, 1726 AM / January 19, 2010

• Have you ever seen a baby baptized in church?

A Story ….• Every Sunday (sometimes Saturday) morning

the mom and the dad wake up early and take baby Andrea to go to church!

• They wear their nicest clothes and come to church to celebrate the Liturgy prayers.

• Today, was a little different.• Because today, Andrea will be baptized to

become a Christian like all her brothers and sisters in church.

• Andrea’s mom prepared the white dress, that Andrea would put on after baptism.

Getting Everything Ready!• In the early morning the family went

to church, to the baptistery.• Abona prayed to sanctify the water.– He consecrated it with chrism (Myron)

From the West …• The mother held Andrea in

her left arm and faced the west and said:– “I renounce you O Satan, all

you evil deeds and all your wicked powers.”

• This is a declaration that we are enemies to the devil and all his evil ways.

… toward the East• The mother then took Andrea

on her right side and looked towards the east and said:

– “I acknowledge thee O Christ my Lord and all your sincere laws and all your commands, deeds, and work that give life.”

• This is the declaration of the Christian faith.

Baptism• Abona Immersed Andrea 3 times in the

baptism water saying:

– “ Andrea, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

• The baptized person is immersed completely under water because we are buried with Christ and also risen with Him to enjoy a new life (Romans 6:4-6)

Chrismation

• Then he took the Chrism bottle (Myron) and anointed Andrea 36 times:

– Head– Chest– Heart– Back– Hands– Top of shoulders– Palm of hands and the back of hands– Lower half of the body

• Saying : “Andrea, I anoint you with the Holy oil in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

The White Dress and Girdle

• Abona prays:– “May you be blessed with the blessings of the

heavenly creatures and the heavenly angels.”• Then he breathed into his face saying:– “Receive the Holy Spirit and be a pure vessel

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”• Abona then dressed Andrea in the white

dress and tied a red ribbon called a girdle– the power and deep joy – Now Andrea is bride

that belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ.

A New Creation! • Now Andrea’s mother Andrea’s

Godmother– Responsible for teaching Andrea the

love of Jesus Christ, the church and the sacraments.

• The whole family took communion, including Andrea.

•Andrea is now born again through the Holy Spirit and the Church (the mother of us all) to become a child of God.

Pop Quiz1. Why is the baby dressed in white clothes?

- A sign of godliness and new birth2. What did the mother say towards the west and towards the

east?- West = I reject you Satan and all your evil deeds- East = I accept You, Christ Jesus our Lord and all Your

commandments that give life.3. How many times does Abona immerse the baby?

- 3 times 4. How many times does Abona anoint the baby with Myron Oil?

– 36 times5. What is this called? Why does he do that?

– Chrismation = Just as Our Lord was shrouded with spices before his burial, we are sanctified with the Lord both body and soul.

– We become a Holy temple for the Holy Spirit 6. What is the girdle? What does it stand for?

– A red ribbon, a sign of victory like that of resurrection!

Baptized in the Jordan• Our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized like us in

the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist– Do you remember the story of his birth?

• “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4)• St. John the Baptist called for all to repent

and be washed of all their sins in the Jordan River– “Then went out to Jerusalem and all Judea and

all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, telling about their sins.”

Baptized with the Holy Spirit + Fire

• He said to the people, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is better than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

I need to be baptized by You, Lord

• Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John the Baptist, to baptize Him.

• St. John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

• But Jesus encouraged him and told him that we have to do all the good things.

And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and a light on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven saying:– “This is My beloved Son,

with whom I am well pleased.”

What salt is for any food, humility is for every virtue. (St. Issac the

Syrian)

– He left his throne in heaven and became man on earth

– He went to John the Baptist to be baptized by him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to be humble.

Pop Quiz1. Where did John the Baptist baptize people?

- Jordan River2. What did he say to the people?

– Repent for your sins because Him who comes after me is preferred before me

3. What did Jesus request John the Baptist to do?– Baptize Him

4. What happened when Jesus went up from the water? What did John the Baptist see? What did the voice say?– The heavens opened, there appeared a dove and bright light

on Jesus and a voice that said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

5. St. John baptized with water? We are baptized through ___________– Holy Spirit