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Baptism Of Our Lord

CELEBRATING THE LECTIONARY once again hears the story of Jesus' baptism and invites everyone to reflect on their own ordinary and extraordinary baptisms, their initiation into the faith community. The following is an excerpt from the plan for Children's Liturgy of the Word on that day.

Dismissal

Presider dismisses children for their own Liturgy of the Word just after the opening prayer.

Centering

Help the children quiet down before listening to the readings by singing a song or listening to music. Music suggestions: "Song of Baptism" from Hi God or the "Ordinary Time" selection from Centering Music.

"O God, when we hear of Jesus' baptism, we are reminded of our own baptisms. Help us always to be your beloved children as we renew our baptismal promises today. Amen."

Proclamation: Is 42:1-2,4,6-7

Read with authority and certainty in your voice.

Response

"All the Ends of the Earth" from the Psalms and Acclamations tape or Psalm 29 from the Lectionary for Masses with Children

Acclamation

"Advent/Christmas Alleluia" from the Psalms and Acclamations tape

Proclamation: Lk 3:15-16,21-22

Instruct the children ahead of time that they should all shout out, "Could John be the Messiah"? when you point to them. As the narrator or lector reads, John and Jesus' actions are mimed. God's voice should come from another part of the room.

Homily

"Today, we celebrate the baptism of Jesus. It is an important day in Jesus' life because it is the first time Jesus is noticed by others as an adult. We do not know anything about Jesus' life after he stayed behind in the Temple when he was about twelve years old. Now, however, Jesus is about thirty years old. Jesus is about to become a very important person to those who will listen to him.
  • How does John describe the Messiah?
"John is predicting that the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. When Jesus is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends on him in the form of a dove. We receive that same Holy Spirit when we are baptized. It is the same Holy Spirit that will stay with us until the end of time to guide us and help us. Water is another important sign in baptism.
  • How do we use water?
  • Why is water used in baptisms? (e.g., a sign of dying to our old selves and rising to live with Jesus)
  • Why did Jesus receive baptism? (e.g., as a sign and example for us to be baptized, for strength for his upcoming ministry to teach others about God)
  • What words does Jesus hear after his baptism?
  • Who speaks these words?
"God speaks these words at every baptism because we are all God's dear sons and daughters. God is very pleased with all of us, just as God was pleased with Jesus. At our baptisms we become just like Jesus, with the Holy Spirit to guide us as we guide others toward knowing more about the God who loves us all.

"As a sign of your baptismal promise, we will renew our commitments to our baptism today by making promises like the ones that our parents made for us when we were baptized."

Profession of Faith

Invite the children to respond a loud and joyful "yes" to the following questions. (Encourage the children to make the sign of the cross as they are sprinkled.)
  • Do you reject Satan?
  • Do you reject sin and sinful ways?
  • Do you believe in God who loves you?
  • Do you believe in Jesus who lived and died for you?
  • Do you believe in the Holy Spirit who guides you throughout your life?
"This is our faith that we live by through our baptisms. Receive the sprinkling of water now as a sign of how much God loves you and how pleased God is with you today. Go and teach others."

Invite the children to raise their right hands toward the water as you pray for God's blessing on the water. Sprinkle the children with water using the pine branch. At the conclusion of the sprinkling say, "You are God's dear children. God is very pleased with you!"

Prayer of the Faithful

Invite the children to pray for their families who brought them to be baptized and for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.
Leader: O God, thank you for bringing us into your family through our baptisms. Help us always to live lives that are pleasing to you. Please bless those who brought us to our baptisms and those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil this year, especially (name), let us pray to the Lord.
Children: Lord, hear our prayer.

For additional information about Celebrating the Lectionary, contact one of our educational consultants at 1-888-273-7782.

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