King of all, you accepted also to be baptized in the Jordan by the hand of a servant, so that, having sanctified the nature of the waters, you, the sinless one, might make a way for our rebirth through water and Spirit and re-establish us in our original freedomPrayer from the Blessing of the Waters
It is most providential that God authentically and completely understands us; our emotions, struggles, life and even death, as He experienced them through taking human flesh by the incarnation and birth of His Son, out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Beyond our understanding and experience of humility is the offering that God made to His creation, in the form of His Son. As recipients of this Divine love and compassion, we are obligated to recognize and offer glory to our Father in heaven for His love and all the forms we receive it.
In the month of January, we recognize and glorify one particular event where Christ’s humility and love for us may be witnessed, His baptism! January 6th the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Theophany of our Lord—His baptism at the hand of Saint John the Baptist! (Matt3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, John 1:29-34). In the sacrament of Holy Baptism, water, which we experience and equate n daily life to a means for cleansing, is transformed by the Holy Spirit so that it may be used for a cleansing of the soul and a renewal of life in the Body of Christ.
It is Christian tradition that baptism only happens once in an individual’s life; therefore, at the feast of Theophany, rather than recognizing it with repeated baptisms, the Church offers the service of the blessing of the waters. Regular water is again transformed by the Holy Spirit, through the prayers of the Church, into a medium of blessing – Holy Water. This transformed water is to be drunk by people of faith as an experience of particular blessing, and sprinkled through environments where people of faith dwell; homes, work places, etc.
As a community of faithful, let us offer glory to our God, the God who loves us to such an extent that He chose to humble Himself beyond measure or understanding, for us! This January 6th, as we celebrate the baptism of our Lord, let us truly and authentically offer the Lord our thanks, and experience the abundant blessings that He extends to us through His Church.
Psalm 98
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Let the sea roar and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98 proclaims a celebration, which not only people of faith but all of God’s creation is invited to participate. This celebration is in recognition that the Kingdom of God will reign unto the ages, and His Divine Love has been extended to all of His creation.
During this season as we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord, the Feast Day of our Patron, Saint Basil the Great, and the coming of the New Year, let us be aware of the source from which these feasts and celebrations come – the Love of God! We will truly experience the celebration of these beautiful and transforming feasts when we recognize that their greatness spawns from a never-ending love that has been, currently is, and forever, will be extended to us. As cognizant recipients of God’s perfect love, we ascend to the status of Children of God, an honor beyond the constraints of our created minds!
Truly we have reason to rejoice – the Lord, our Father in Heaven, loves us! This year, as knowing recipients of His sanctifying love, Christmas will mean more than gifts and dinners, the feast of our Patron Saint Basil the Great will mean more than simply slice of Vasilopita, and the coming of the New Year will mean more than a party with friends and a new leaf – as knowing recipients of God’s Love, through each of these celebrations we will grow closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ, sharing amongst ourselves the love of God which has been given to us, and helping establish His Kingdom on earth!
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless each of you this season, as we strive to honor the love His Father extends to us, by extending it to each other! Merry Christmas, and Xronia Polla!
+Fr. Luke Palumbis