Today the Church makes one of its quickest jumps. One minute we’re at the crib in Bethlehem, and the next minute Jesus is a grown man standing in the River Jordan. It’s one of the fastest time-lapses in the liturgical year – no teenage years, no awkward stages, just straight into public life!
And where does Jesus begin? Not in the Temple or a palace, but standing in a queue – a queue of sinners. Which should reassure us: Jesus is quite happy to stand where we stand.
John the Baptist is baffled. Jesus doesn’t need baptism, but he insists, because from the start he chooses to be with us, not above us.
Then the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.”
Jesus hasn’t done anything yet – no miracles, no sermons, no impressive CV. God simply names who he is and says, “You are loved.”
That’s the heart of our own baptism too. Before we achieve anything – or mess things up – we belong. And from that belonging flows a calling. Through baptism we are sent out as ambassadors for Christ, as missionary disciples, each in our own place and time.
St John Henry Newman put it beautifully: “I have my mission.” Not someone else’s mission. Not a grand or dramatic one necessarily. But a mission given by God, rooted in our baptism.
So today, as the Christmas season ends, we’re reminded of something simple and reassuring: God meets us in the queue — calls us His beloved sons and daughters — and then sends us out on mission. Amen.