This is one of those odd times in the church calendar year. Last week Jesus was an infant, lying in a manger with three sages from the east paying him homage, having been born two weeks before. Today Jesus is around 30 years old and being baptized by John the Baptist. Well, that's an acceleration of one's life that is quite extraordinary and shocking. I have always wanted to know more about that middle time in Jesus' life, before he stepped up to the plate, so to speak. But alas, we are not granted that information and today we are given for our thoughts and consideration: baptism.

So today, in this liturgical season of Epiphany, we encounter Jesus as an adult, about to make a radical change in his life.  In the church world, "epiphany" means a manifestation of God in man.  We saw this last week when the Magi recognized Jesus as the Christ child.  This week we see it in the baptism of Jesus.  However, this episode begins with another kind of epiphany:  Jesus' sudden realization that he must go to Judea to be baptized by John.  Somehow Jesus knew that this strange, locust- and wild honey-eating man was the key to finding his purpose in life.

Happy Three Kings Day.   It is a bit ironic that I am up here speaking - my parents were always very disappointed that I did not go to the seminary after college. Maybe this will soften that disappointment....But, I may have made a mistake in agreeing to do this.  I find the days between Christmas and now to be the toughest time of the year emotionally.  This is a period of great reflection - something that produces great angst and turmoil within me. 

This morning we celebrate Epiphany and the baptism of Shelby, Barbara Hay’s granddaughter. And though I don’t want to make it all about Shelby or Barbara or any of Barbara’s family who we are honored to welcome this morning, it’s hard not to. For the Christmas season, which proclaims the presence of God among us in flesh celebrates the birth of Jesus. And the birth of a grandchild or any baby is an opportunity to recognize new life, new possibilities, the reality of hope and transformation wiggling and cooing in the middle of our lives. For as we know, the birth of a child changes our lives forever!