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January 9, Feast of the Baptism of Christ

Today we celebrate the baptism of Christ in the Jordan. This is the second epiphany, or manifestation, of the Lord. The past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this epiphany.

The most holy one placed Himself among us, the unclean and sinners. The Son of God freely humbled Himself at the hand of the Baptist. By His baptism in the Jordan, Christ manifests His humility and dedicates Himself to the redemption of man. He takes upon Himself the sins of the whole world and buries them in the waters of the Jordan. — The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.

Day Sixteen activity
Day Sixteen recipe (Children's Punch)

Activities for the Feast of the Baptism of Christ

This is a wonderful day to recall to mind and renew our baptismal vows, and to celebrate the wonderful gift God has given us. Invite your children's godparents to drop in and take part in the day's festivities.

Bring out the baptismal gowns if you have saved them. Reminisce about each child's baptismal day, which is his or her rebirth in Christ. With godparents and family gathered in the living room, light the children's baptismal candles, or light a holy candle for each child. When the candles are ready, the father presents one to each child and prays as the Church did at baptism:

You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
Receive this burning light. This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. Safeguard your baptism by a blameless life. Keep the Commandments of God, that when our Lord shall come to claim His own, you may be worthy to greet Him, with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom. Amen.

Grown-ups and children repeat together their baptismal vows:

I (name--) promise to reject Satan, and all his works and empty promises.

Then recite the Apostles Creed, which repeats the basic beliefs of our faith:

I believe in God the Father almighty. Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.

Then follows a Christmas song.

This ceremony takes only a few minutes, but leaves a memory that lasts a lifetime and builds a sense of security in children. It also focuses their attention on the wonderful gift of Baptism.

After the ceremony, serve children's punch and Initial Cookies, cut and baked in the initials of each present. Also serve Christ's diapers. Although He was grown when he received the baptism from John the Baptist, we are reminded of his infancy and our baptism at childhood.

Activity Source: Christmas to Candlemas in a Catholic Home by Helen McLoughlin, The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota

How charming! Thank you for the ping.

BTTT on the 16th Day of Christmas -- The Baptism of the Lord, January 8th, 2007!