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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, thank you for water, even snow! Amen.

People kept asking John the Baptist if he was God. "No," said John. "But there's someone coming who's so great, I'm not good enough to untie His shoes. I'm baptizing you with water, but He'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Then Jesus was baptized, and God's voice came from heaven, saying, "This is my Son, and I'm proud of Him."

Snow has been on everyone's minds this year. Winter seemed to start late, with unusually warm weather right up through Christmas. Kids who like snow were probably disappointed; ski resorts and farmers probably worried about whether there would be enough snow. Other people were happy to have a "green Christmas!"

Love it or hate it, we think about snow because water -- even frozen water -- is so important in our world. This week's Gospel (Lk. 3:15-16,21-22) talks about another important way water is used: in baptism.

John the Baptist knew that water is important. He started baptizing people, pouring water over them as a symbol of them asking forgiveness of God and then washing away their sins, so they would be all ready to listen when Jesus started teaching. John even pointed out that the water was just a symbol, because Jesus would "baptize" people by giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us stay close to God.

Then Jesus shocked John by asking to be baptized Himself. John probably thought Jesus would take over the baptizing! But Jesus was as humble as the people He came to serve. He, too, wanted to experience that washing away of anything that might keep Him from doing His work the absolute best He could.

Water helps the world work. We drink it, wash with it and grow our food with it; sea creatures live in it. Even ice and snow are important. But the most important water we might ever experience is used in church: the water that baptized us, that we bless ourselves with and that we are blessed with. Give thanks for water, in all its forms![[In-content Ad]]

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