READ SCRIPTURE (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22)

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
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Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

REFLECT ON THE READING

Baptisms occur as part of congregational worship. The congregation takes part in the liturgy by confessing the Apostle’s Creed, affirming its commitment to support the newly baptized in faith formation, and welcoming the baptized as a worker with Christ in mission and ministry. Although the family is the primary place to nurture a child to grow in faith and to discover more about God’s love in Jesus Christ, the congregation has a vital role to support each in discipleship.

A baptized person receives the Holy Spirit as well as gifts of the Spirit. During our life on this earth, we have the opportunity to discover our God-given gifts and to seek ways to use those gifts to build up the body of Christ and to spread the Good News of Jesus to the world.

What does it mean for you to be baptized?
What difference does it make when the Holy Spirit is present?
Imagine God saying to you, “You are my child, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

PRAY

Gracious God, thank you for providing the opportunity to be baptized and to be sealed by the Holy Spirit forever. Help us to live as you will. Amen

For additional readings and prayers, visit and download ELCA’s Daily Discipleship.