The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
January 10, 2010
Vol. 13 No. 02

Everything But...

I had to find out why January 9th has been designated to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus. Even in the Middle East this would be considered winter and not the water temperature in which most would care to perform or endure baptism. Well, I couldn’t find out, at least not yet. No source says why this time of the year was chosen. It just seems to be the right date for a whole bunch of special events in Jesus’ life.

Epiphany, January 6, is still a public holiday in many European countries, even when the nation is no longer predominantly Christian. We identify January 6 as the day the Magi or Wise Men appeared to Jesus, but there is nothing particular about our celebration except that we sing a few beloved hymns and bring out our Magi figures.

Around January 6 is associated the Baptism of Jesus, obviously a different year in Jesus’ life. The word “Epiphany” simply means “an appearance” - yet this is always understood as the appearance of divinity. Just to be clear, Epiphany does not mean that we finally get to see whether there is a God (or not!), but it is the moment in which we are granted the opportunity to see and experience God.

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Baptism of Jesus is important because it is one of only two instances in the Bible where the Three Persons of the Trinity appear in one place at one time. God the Father speaks to Jesus, the Son is present in the Jordan River being baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove upon them all. The other instance is during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

Baptism seems so simple, just water, yet it is the entrance into a new universe, a new relationship, a resurrection no matter what our age.