Beginnings are exciting.
The birds hatch in the nest outside the window.
Holding a newborn child.
Falling in love. Getting married.
A new job.
Getting well after an illness or injury.
Suddenly discovering that you survived something, you don’t know how or why, but you are still here.
Discovering the love of God and finding faith.
Just getting up to a new day.
Beginnings are exciting.
The Spirit of God broods over the waters of creation as the heavens and the earth begin, fulfilling God’s intention, and God says it is very good. Words of affirmation from on high. God brags.
The Spirit of God descends like a bird again, brooding over the beginning of Jesus Ministry as he comes up out of the water, a new creation begins, fulfilling God’s intent, and God says that he is pleased, this he is the beloved. Words of affirmation from on high. God brags.
Jesus survives to adulthood despite King Herod’s plotting.
The story picks up again with Jesus being baptized, fulfilling God’s will, God’s intention, God’s purpose that all relationships be restored and filled with life.
This is where and when Jesus is anointed as the Messiah, the chosen one, who will restore creation, in whom creation begins over, who challenges the kingship and the authorities that enslave the world.
He walks out of the water and literally all hell breaks loose as he is tested in the wilderness and assaulted by the devil.
Beginnings are exciting. They are always followed by challenges.
A new calendar year. Our annual meeting to elect new parish officers and to brag about this past year as we begin a new one.
This first Sunday after the epiphany is always the Sunday where we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and we renew our own baptismal covenant.
A day of beginnings. Of celebrating. Of bragging. Of facing the challenges of bringing God’s Word of affirmation and renewal to a broken world.
It is very good.
My beloved. My delight. I am pleased.