Grace and peace to you from God the Father, Jesus Christ his beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Today we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. 

A day to give thanks to our Almighty God who has given us this wonderful gift. The gift of Jesus and the sacrament of Baptism. 

As a child I remember the joy of a warm bubble bath. 

The pink cardboard box of Mister Bubble had a certain aroma that produced the finest bubbles. 

“Helps bubble you clean and eliminate bathtub ring.” 

Just like a cleansing and comforting warm bath, Baptism in the name of Christ has an additional promise that comes with the clean, you are named and adopted into eternal life. 

Like a daily washing that leaves no ring, only love and forgiveness to those who believe. 

Unfortunately, the warm water and the gentle pop of the bubbles put a time limit on the bath. 

Of course as I understood the process a little better, as I grew older, I knew that I could add more hot water and bubble powder. 

Being blessed with three children there was our fair share of bubble bath memories. 

Beards of bubbles, flowing bubble hairdo’s, not to mention the occasional bubble avalanche with too much water and too many bubbles- but can you ever have too many bubbles? 

Baptism is a washing and cleansing with deep theological meaning.

Baptism involves two elements; the water and the Word. 

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God. 

Imagine how clean you feel after a good bubble bath? 

Believe that our Baptism cleans and refreshes us daily. 

Remember the smell of a baby, clean, fresh, and comforting. Baptism names us as one of God’s own. 

Together we join with the other baptized to go forth and spread the good news. Wonderfully, Jesus is also baptized, a gift for every human being. Baptism is filled with the promise of God’s steadfast love and adoption. Luke’s gospel message begins as the people are filled with expectation. Expectation for the Messiah, a savior. 

When have you ever been filled with expectation? 

Perhaps just as recently as Christmas, the New Year? 

Expectation is a feeling of hope, wonder, and curiosity. 

Hope for peace in the world. 

Wonder that you can love your enemy. 

Curious enough to take the leap of faith given by God to discover God really loves you just the way you are.

Luke writing is as important then as now, for people who are looking for hope, wondering what this Messiah means- who is it, is it John? 

This curious person who is baptizing people with water out in the wilderness, Pointing the way to Jesus, someone greater than he. 

If they were filled with expectation before, imagine the words of John that something even greater was going to happen. 

John tells the people that the one coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

John is barely a warm up act to the power of Jesus’ baptism that we can all share. 

With that message is also the promise of a new life with Christ. 

The image of Jesus standing in his granary, with the ability to gather his wheat like the ripe fruit of a bountiful harvest. 

In the baptism of the Holy Spirit we are made pure by the unquenchable fire. The earth elements of water and fire unite us in an everlasting bond with God. Through baptism God makes us one of his own. 

A relationship that we are all welcomed into. 

I believe Jesus immediately began prayer after his baptism with thanksgiving for his relationship with God. 

Baptism begins a new life in Christ. 

A life where love and forgiveness fills our hearts. 

Where prayer opens our hearts and thoughts to God.

God is listening. 

Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily form, so too does the Holy Spirit kindle love within us. 

The Holy Spirit welcomes us as gently as a dove. 

God speaks the words to Jesus as they are spoken to us, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 

I can think of no other words a parent could say to express their love for a child. Have you told someone that you love them today? 

The assurance that hope is fulfilled in our naming, recognizing all people who are in all places that God sees you and wants a relationship. 

You now have a name and that name is Beloved. 

We are loved, worthy and wanted. 

Wonderfully we are enough just as we are, “with you I am well pleased.” 

That is the message that God shares with us, empowering us to let others know that they are loved. 

Believe that we fulfill God’s expectation for us. Love overflowing with grace. The promise of this love shared in the water and word of Baptism. Place yourself in the loving bath of God’s abundant love. 

Joyous bubbles, the laughter of funny foam beards and gravity defying soapy hair spikes. Love that doesn’t leave a bathtub ring. 

A baptism into everlasting life; For this we can say, Thanks be to God. Amen