Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
On Monday, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. When talking about this celebration in 2006, Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal household, declared: “Was it that Jesus also needed to be baptized, as we do? Of course not. With that gesture, he wanted to show that he had become one of us. Above all, he wanted to put an end to the baptism of ‘water’ and inaugurate that ‘of the Spirit.’ It was not the water in the Jordan that sanctified Jesus, but Jesus who sanctified the water. Not only the water of the Jordan, but that of all fonts of the world.”
The newly baptized is a new creature, reborn by water and Spirit. He or she is a child of God, member of the Body of Christ, the Church, and a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Our Heavenly Father pronounces over every child or adult emerging from the baptismal font the same words he pronounced as Jesus emerged from the Jordan: “This is my beloved son or daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may we appropriate the words that you said during Jesus’ baptism, so we may know in our hearts that we are your beloved sons and daughters. Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Christmas Time
Faith, Fun and Celebration—Christmas
Epiphany
The Story of Christmas (Jesus and the Wise Men)
Three Wise Men
Holy Heroes
The Story of the Three Wise Men
The Nativity Story: The Three Wise Men
Gospel Reading & Reflection
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Baptism of the Lord
Holy Heroes
The Baptism of Jesus
John Baptizes Jesus
The Baptism of Jesus
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus is the Son of God.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, Baptism photos and memories, a baby doll, a water basin, water, towels, a shell, paper towels, envelopes, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and a Church Year calendar.
This lesson is a little bit difference than the others since it includes the Gospels for both the Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. Both the visit of the Magi and Jesus’ baptism are events of Jesus’ manifestation as the Son of God.
For the section on the doctrine (yellow box on page TG2-35), we suggest that the children pretend to baptize a doll. Hands-on activities like this remain in the children’s minds for years to come. We recommend that you have plenty of towels on hand!
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Epiphany
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi: Epiphany
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus is the Son of God.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, a single-hole punch, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), lengths of yarn (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. You may wish to arrange for an aide to assist with cutting, lacing, and tying. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4. If you plan to make a church visit, arrange for this in advance.
This lesson includes the Gospels for both the Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. Both the visit of the Magi and Jesus’ baptism are events of Jesus’ manifestation as the Son of God. Use this opportunity to reinforce what the children learned about Jesus as they prepared for and celebrated Christmas. Note that we still celebrate Jesus’ birth 2,000+ years later because of his great importance—Jesus is the best gift ever!
Note that this lesson brings the Christmas season to a close. It is also the final lesson of Unit 2.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Bible Bag: Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole: Epiphany
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi: Epiphany
Good News
Lesson Theme: We belong to God’s family.
For this lesson, you’ll need pencils, crayons, drawing paper, and a Church Year calendar.
This lesson includes the Gospels for both the Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord. Both the visit of the Magi and Jesus’ baptism are events of Jesus’ manifestation as the Son of God. Use this opportunity to reinforce what the children learned about Jesus as they prepared for and celebrated Christmas. Note that we still celebrate Jesus’ birth 2,000+ years later because of his great importance—Jesus is the best gift ever!
The Three Divine Persons of the Blessed Trinity are revealed at Jesus’ baptism. The children will connect the words of Baptism, the Apostles’ Creed, the Sign of the Cross, and the Glory Be to the Father to the importance of our belief in the Blessed Trinity.
Note that this lesson brings the Christmas season to a close. It is also the final lesson of Unit 2. A unit assessment is available at gospelweeklies.com/good-news-assessments.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Our Baby’s Baptism (end after 1:57)
Venture
Lesson Theme: Jesus is Savior and Lord of all.
Again, this is a combined lesson, as the Baptism of the Lord falls on a Monday in 2023. Conclude your celebration of the Christmas season by reviewing the Epiphany traditions from around the world. Ask the children why they think that Epiphany has a greater emphasis in so many countries. (Share with them that this feast day celebrates that Jesus comes for the salvation of all people.) Make sure to have colored pencils or markers to complete the map activity.
If time permits, visit the baptismal font in your parish church. Make sure to celebrate the Baptism prayer service; give the children roles in preparing and leading the service.
Note: This is the last lesson in Unit 2. A unit assessment is available at gospelweeklies.com/venture-assessments. It can be used as an individual assessment, or you may choose to create a trivia game to assess the students’ knowledge.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Sacrament of Baptism
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus is Savior and Lord of all.
This is another combined lesson, so you will need to budget your time well. The emphasis for Epiphany is that Jesus came for all people; this is illustrated in the Gospel message in which the message with the non-Jewish Magi. This is the Good News: Jesus comes for the salvation of all!
The second celebration in this lesson is the Baptism of the Lord. This falls on a Monday this year; however, the editors did not want the students to miss out on this important event in the life of Jesus. It also introduces the ministry of Jesus that they will study in the upcoming weeks of Ordinary Time. You may wish to prep enough cards that there is one set for each small group that you will assign for “The Family Feelings” game. You may choose to make photocopies of the page so that the student lessons are left intact.
This is the last lesson in this unit. A unit assessment is available at gospelweeklies.com/visions-assessments. It can be used as an individual assessment, or you may choose to create a trivia game to assess the students’ knowledge.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Sacrament of Baptism
Tijuana Information Video
Baptism—Catholic Central
Image credit: Adam Jan Figeľ/stock.adobe.com
