In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1: 1-2

This week is the Sunday that we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.  All of the texts (including a reading from Genesis and Acts) include references to creation coming to us from the Holy Spirit. In the text from Mark, the baptism of Jesus itself is only mentioned in verse nine which says, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan”.  The writer spends the verses before telling us about John and his proclamation and the verses after telling us about the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus.  In looking at each of these readings separately and putting them together I love how they weave a story of creation beginning anew for us over and over again as we are touched by the Spirit.  The earth may have only been created once, but trees shed their leaves each fall and they return each spring, we are baptized but once, yet we receive the gifts of baptism each day as we die in sin and rise in new life with Christ.  The baptism we receive, a gift from God, happens but once, though the gifts are everlasting through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Where do you find the Spirit working in your life?  What is the new creation you came upon today?

-Pastor Carrie

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