Prepare

This week’s Gospel reading is brief and familiar, so looking back at Matthew’s opening chapters helps us see the context for Jesus’ baptism and the figures who prepared the way.

Matthew begins with a genealogy, reminding us that Jesus’ story is rooted in humble beginnings. Then we meet Joseph, who responds to angelic messages with courage—adopting Jesus, honoring his vow to Mary, and protecting the Holy Family from Herod’s wrath. Next comes the Magi, who defy Herod’s orders through civil disobedience, ensuring Jesus remains safe.

Finally, some years later, John the Baptist appears in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan. Crowds gather—Jews and Gentiles alike—as John calls out injustice among both the royal family and religious leaders. Like the prophets before him, John points beyond himself to the One who is greater, preparing hearts for Christ’s arrival.

As many worshipping communities affirm baptismal promises on this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, these chapters remind us that even Jesus entered the waters with guidance and support. From the start, Matthew shows that discipleship is communal—woven through family, neighbors, and prophetic voices. Jesus’ life bears witness to this truth: we walk the journey of faith together, grounded in God’s promises and strengthened by one another.

Opening Exercise

Did you make a resolution this year? Maybe your resolution matches one of these most popular resolutions from a recent YouGov.com US poll.

• What immediate thoughts do you have about this list? 
• How many of these most popular resolutions are personal or internally focused? 
• How many are community-based or externally focused? 
• What do you believe these resolutions say about our society or culture?

Texts to Read Aloud

Isaiah 42:1-9

Matthew 3:13-17

Preparing the Way for New Things

A power couple in the ancient Roman pantheon, deities Janus and Jana were guardians of beginnings, transitions, and

John baptizes Jesus*

Matthew’s brief account of Jesus’ baptism is a hinge moment. Jesus arrives from Galilee; John hesitates. Jesus insists. The waters receive him. The Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, the beloved.”

Why does Jesus insist on baptism? He does not need repentance like the others John baptized. Yet, Jesus chooses solidarity—stepping into our story to launch God’s new creation. As at Christmas, this is another incarnation moment. “To fulfill all righteousness” is not a checkbox; it’s a covenantal act—God joining humanity and opening a path forward. The Spirit’s descent and God’s voice make this a communal blessing: God’s life poured out for the world in a very public way for the first time in Matthew’s Gospel. This is not just an origin story for Jesus’ public ministry—it’s a sacramental reveal of God’s way in the world: relational, embodied, transformative.

Standing beside Jesus in the water is John—a trending wilderness prophet dressed in camel’s hair, eating locusts, and calling out the injustices perpetrated by kings and religious elites. John is popular—very popular. Crowds flock to him: Roman soldiers, Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor. He calls people back to covenant faithfulness, modeling a kind of fiery devotion to God and neighbor that is not dressed in fancy robes or crowns.

John could have refused to baptize Jesus because this was a new and different kind of baptism. He could have grown jealous or seen Jesus as a threat. He could have capitalized on or even monetized his wilderness fame. Instead, he uses his influence to spotlight Jesus. His viral quote: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Instead of trying to gain more followers, John freely chooses to point many away from himself and loose his flock to Jesus’ care. That’s not just humility—it’s a countercultural resolution in a world obsessed with riches, followers, and fame. If John had a New Year’s resolution, it might read: “Less me, more Messiah.”

So what does this mean for our double gaze this January—looking back with wisdom and forward with hope? This new year and this holy day give us a chance to revisit our baptismal identity. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm our baptism daily and to let the promises made at baptism define this new year. It’s an invitation to posture ourselves like John in practicing prophetic hospitality—using your influence to point to Jesus in tangible ways for the good of creation or aligning more fully to what the Church is already doing, bringing justice to broken systems and communities. 

Finally, may we stay open to the new things God may be doing in our life together, even if it causes a moment of hesitation, as we look to Jesus daily and follow after his ways in 2026.

Reflection Questions

1. What all happens at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13–17? 
2. Why does John the Baptist hesitate to baptize him?
3. How does baptism reflect both remembrance and new beginning?
4. John uses his influence to point others to Jesus instead of building his own fame. This year, what is one concrete way you could “decrease” and point others to Jesus—one action you can commit to for the next month (examples: a weekly act of service, a social-media habit, inviting a friend to church or youth group, joining a justice project)?

Closing Activity

Ask each person to choose one promise from the Baptismal covenant (“Affirmation by the Assembly,” Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 237), or to create a new year’s resolution based upon one of these promises. Write it down or discuss ways that the group might make these resolutions come alive and really stick in 2026.

Closing Blessing or Prayer

Consider closing with a Remembrance of Baptism. Prepare a bowl of water and use the words from the Thanksgiving for Baptism in Setting One (ELW, p. 97) or a similar liturgy. After speaking the liturgy, make the sign of the cross on each person’s hand or forehead with water, encouraging them to remember their baptism. Use chosen names to honor each person as they present themselves today.

If a Remembrance of Baptism is not possible or is already part of your worship, consider another closing. Psalms are not just ancient poetry—they are prayers. Psalm 29 offers a powerful reminder that, despite the turmoil in our world and nation, God reigns above all. God does not condone evil but calls us to honor God’s will and partner with our Creator in bringing wholeness to a broken world. Close by reading Psalm 29 together as a prayer.

Biography

Aaron Shoppa serves as the Program Director for Youth Ministry with the ELCA. His greatest joy in this vocation is connecting with other youth leaders across the nation and deeply listening and engaging with their hopes and concerns as they live out this important ministry. While not at work, Aaron keeps busy chasing three young kids around the house and attending to his millennial midlife-crisis by planting way too large of a vegetable garden. 

* JESUS MAFA. John baptizes Jesus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48290 [retrieved January 7, 2026]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).

Note from the Editor:

This week on Faith Lens, we’re revisiting a post from the archive. Originally published several years ago, the article still speaks with quiet strength and hope today. As Advent draws to a close, this reflection offers a grounding reminder at just the right moment: Emmanuel, God is with us. In a season that invites us to name our fears and watch for God’s nearness, this piece remains a faithful word for young people and leaders alike.

One more note: in partnership with ELCA Children’s Ministry and ELCA Youth Ministry, the ELCA Youth Gathering is launching a new quarterly newsletter, Faith Foundations, created especially for volunteer and paid youth ministry leaders. Each issue will include practical resources, ministry insights, and tools you can use right away in your context. Sign up now and get the first issue sent right to your inbox next spring.

Warm-up Question

How many times per week, would you estimate, that you make a choice of what to do or what not to do based on fear?

What Makes You Afraid?

Fear can be a highly powerful motivator. We can be afraid of consequences (from parents, teachers, coaches, school administrators) or we can be afraid of what happened last time we did that (a small child touching a hot stove). Some of us have phobias – fear of the dark, of spiders, of snakes (to name a few). Did you know that there is even a name for the fear of Santa Claus? Not surprisingly, it’s Clausophobia.

Sometimes fear motivates us in ways we’d rather not talk about. Other times we avoid doing something we’d otherwise do for fear of what our peers might think or say. Or we avoid trying something new for fear of failure.

For some people, these fears can be crippling. PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) and some phobias keep people from acting because of the strong painful memories and fears often associated with past experiences. Researchers in the United Kingdom and in Japan are working on techniques that might allow people to “re-wire” their brains and overcome those fear-filled memories.

Even if our fears are not extremely strong and limiting, fear affects all of us to some degree and can keep us from engaging in life to the fullness that’s intended for us.

Discussion Questions

• What kinds of fears do you have? What are you afraid of? Can you isolate why? Was there a specific experience that made you afraid?
• What are things you wish you could do but are afraid to try?

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 1:18-25

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Joseph was afraid. He was afraid to take Mary as his wife, because she was having a baby that wasn’t his. He was afraid of what it would mean for him; he was afraid of what others might think. But he also was afraid to publicly accuse her of infidelity, so he wanted to send her away quietly. But the angel knew what was going on and told him not to be afraid.

Not only did the angel command Joseph not to be afraid but he told Joseph to name the child something that could combat fear. Emmanuel means “God is with us.” God is with us. We are not alone. Perhaps knowing this and trusting this can help to combat the fears that are inside all of us.

Discussion Questions

• When do you need a reminder that God is with you?
• Who do you know who might need a reminder that God is with them?

Activity Suggestions

Make an Emmanuel rock. This can be as simple as taking a small stone and painting a cross (or other symbol) on it. Carry the Emmanuel rock in your pocket. It can remind you that Emmanuel – God is with you. Make tw0 Emmanuel rocks – keep one for yourself and give one away.

Closing Prayer

Good and gracious God, come into our world as Emmanuel. Come into our world and banish fear. Come into our world and banish darkness. Amen.

Written by Seth Moland-Kovash and originally posted on December 18, 2016.

Opening Activity

Place a large piece of soft cloth on each table for this activity. It’s best if the cloth is blue to match the Advent season. As participants find their seats, invite them to touch the piece of soft cloth. What thoughts, feelings, or memories stirred as they touch it?

Some examples might include:

• a memory of a soft blanket that is special to them
• a thought given to those who have made the fabric
• a feeling of being safe and warm in a coat, etc.

Before reading, invite participants to listen for Jesus’ words about people who wear soft robes.

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 11:2-11

Leading Softly

This gospel lesson invites us to consider whom we look to for leadership. In this Season of Advent, we await a Messiah whom we already know is Jesus. However, have we ever taken the time to wonder why we see Jesus as our leader? It is not enough to think of Jesus only as our Savior from sin. We must also wonder why we follow him. This is the question John the Baptist sent to Jesus from his prison cell: ‘Are you the one we are waiting for?

To this question Jesus responds:

“… the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matt. 11:5)

Jesus is a true leader because those who suffer, those who are on the margins, and those facing real struggles in their daily lives are being cared for by him. Jesus’ leadership is not limited to the spiritual. It is lived out in tangible, earthly ways. His leading allows humanity to have hope, a new chance at life, and to flourish in the present moment.

In our present moment, there are leaders today whose actions undermine proven medical care, disrupt people’s lives, and push people deeper into poverty. They promise a return to a fabled, great past. They promise to be leaders for all. However, their actions are showing us that they are not what Jesus proves real leadership to be.

Today’s gospel lesson encourages us to turn to Jesus, and to trust only in his leadership. As we do so, we are invited to continue his work of healing those who are sick, giving new chances at life for those who need it, and helping those who are impoverished. We are encouraged to not trust those who live in lavish homes and dress in nice fabric, but rather to trust in Jesus (and those who follow his example of true leadership). As we wait for the Messiah, whom we know already is Jesus, we also wonder why we follow him as our leader.

Our answer is clear: Jesus causes “the blind [to] receive their sight, the lame [to] walk, those with a skin disease [to be] cleansed, the deaf [to] hear, the dead [to be] raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matt. 11:5, edited)

Ending Activity

• What do you think Jesus meant when he seemed to cast some judgment at those who wear soft robes?
• Think back to what memory, feeling, or thought was first stirred when you touched the soft blue fabric. What might it mean for that thought to influence how we follow Jesus?
• Some examples of this might be:

• • if the memory was of a soft blanket that is special to them, could they work on creating a soft blanket to be gifted to hospitalized children or refugees?
  • if the thought that came up was for those who have made the fabric, could they research companies that treat their workers ethically and do some holiday shopping at their stores?
  • if the feeling that arose was that of being safe and warm in a coat, could they donate some warm, winter clothes to their local charity?

Remind everyone that we are invited to lead like Jesus, to trust only in his leadership, to lift up leaders who lead like him, and to be leaders ourselves who act like Jesus.

Ending Prayer

Remind all participants that, as followers of our leader Jesus, our leadership means that we make a positive difference in this world. However, as Lutherans we must always remember that our work and leadership is not the end-all-be all. Jesus is, after all, the Messiah.

What might you do in the week ahead as followers of our leader Jesus? A good place to start might be remembering that, no matter what, Jesus is Savior and Leader of all.

Introduce them to the following prayer and encourage them to pray it after they finish each day’s work:

Lord,

it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

let it be.

Let our fears of the of the world and of our own lives

rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

Bio

David Larson-Martínez is a consecrated deacon of the Lutheran Diaconal Association and an ordained pastor serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Valparaiso University and Luther Seminary, he grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now happily calls the Twin Cities home. David treasures his large cross-border family—his mom, five siblings, and a growing crew of nieces and nephews who live in both Mexico and the United States.

Opening Activity Part 1

Set Up: As you gather with people, have a jar of gummy worms and a jar of honey at each table being used for this activity. Hand out at least two gummy worms, if not more, and preferably blue in keeping with the Advent season. The jar of honey is only for decoration purposes, reminding everyone of John the Baptist’s meal of honey with locusts.

Invite all participants to think of each gummy worm as a physical reminder of something that they have done over which they feel grubby. They do not have to share what these are. Remind them that we are all human, make mistakes, and need to reassess our words and actions. Some examples could be:

• a mean word shouted at someone
• a nasty comment left on social media
• not sharing from our abundance
• holding ill-will towards those who are different

Remind all the participants that these grubby feelings and actions are a part of what makes us messy humans. It is important, then, that we accept that we have made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes in the future. When we do, we will feel grubby again and again. Instead of being afraid to come to terms with our words and actions, our faith teaches us to face them head-on, make amends, and choose a different future.

Read Text Aloud

Matthew 3:1-12

Rest as Repentance

This gospel lesson reminds us that the holiday season is not simply about beautiful lights and presents. Our faith tradition also invites us to pause, reassess our words and actions, and take corrective action. Amid cheerful music and tinsel-covered trees, we hear the strong words from John the Baptist:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” … “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance …” (Matt. 3:2, 7b-8a)

In not mincing words, John the Baptist firmly invites us to reconsider what it means to live as messy humans all the while claiming to be followers of God. He is inviting us into repentance as part of what people of faith are called to practice.

According to the likes of the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, and Martin Luther, sin is selfishly turning inwardly into one’s own self. Adversely, Repentance is generously turning outwardly towards God and the neighbor.

Repentance looks like letting go of our angry comments, setting aside our selfishness, and then choosing to be kinder, more generous, and open to what God might want us to do. In a seemingly strange way that can only be experienced by those who choose this path, repenting allows us to rest.

Through repentance we are freed from anger, selfishness, and hatred. In repenting and bearing new fruit, we taste the sweetness of what being a follower of Jesus is and can be for us in this world.

In my context (Minneapolis, MN), many of my beloved neighbors are being demonized. Angry, selfish words have been shared from the highest levels of power. This implicates all of us, whether we agree with the words or not, because we are all a part of this society. The prophet John is inviting us to remember that, as people of faith, we need to repent. What will it look like for us to set aside the angry, selfish words put forth by our leaders so that we can rest in the sweetness of a new way?

Opening Activity Part 2

Focus on how important it is to remember that we are not broken, but simply human. And that even in our biggest mistakes we are still beloved children of God. Not only that, but we will continue to make mistakes (big ones and small ones) over and over again. However, as people of faith, we are asked to always be reassessing our words and actions, make amends, and choose a different future.

This is the way that God invites us into deep rest. Repentance actually frees us from the words, actions, and feelings that often weigh us down. Repentance is a sweet gift from God who understands (and loves) the humans God created.

• What does repentance look like for Jesus followers today?
• Once again, think about the words, actions, and/or feelings that are making you feel grubby today.
  • Remind them that, even in our deepest mistakes, God still loves us. However, as people of faith, we have the sweet release of repentance.
• Finally, invite participants to silently set aside their angry thoughts, words, and actions. Then, lead them in a prayer of repentance such as:

“Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.”[1]

Closing Activity

Invite all participants to think about how they might make amends and/or choose a different future way of speaking, acting, thinking, or feeling.

If anyone is comfortable sharing their thoughts, have them do so. If not, share that they can talk to a pastor, deacon, or lay leader so that they can come up with plans for amends privately.

Remind them that repentance is not to shame us for being human, but it is a sweet release that allows us to rest. It is also a part of what we are called to do as people of faith, especially during the Season of Advent.

Ending Prayer

It is very important that the pastor, deacon, or lay leader speak the words of forgiveness to everyone who has participated. They may choose to say:

“God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together in Christ. By grace we have been saved. In the name of + Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen us with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in our hearts through faith. Amen.” [2]

Immediately after this, invite all participants to eat their gummy worm(s) and enjoy the sweetness of repentance as they rest in God’s forgiveness.

[1] Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg. 95

[2] Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg. 96, edited.

Bio

David Larson-Martínez is a consecrated deacon of the Lutheran Diaconal Association and an ordained pastor serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Valparaiso University and Luther Seminary, he grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now happily calls the Twin Cities home. David treasures his large cross-border family—his mom, five siblings, and a growing crew of nieces and nephews who live in both Mexico and the United States.

Opening Activity Part 1

Gather some paper, preferably blue in color to match the Season of Advent. On one side of the paper, invite attendees to write down one or more things that are currently wearing them down. This is to be done privately by each individual because these have the potential to be personal. Some examples of current hardships could be:

• family divisions at the holiday meals
• higher prices of necessary goods and lower wages
• friendships that have soured
• or simply having had to wake up early for church services

Text

Read: Matthew 24:36-44

Jesus Watches so You Can Rest

This gospel lesson contains a sense of urgency that readily fits into modern times. There are single parents who work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, barely having any time to rest. School-aged children are swamped with activities that will look good on university applications, but do not allow space for the joy of non-adulthood.. All ages, occupations, backgrounds, etc. are impacted by our go-go-go culture. It could be then that we find ourselves nodding our tired heads, blinking back much-needed sleep, as Jesus’ urgent words resound from the pulpit:

“Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42)

However, I invite us to consider the Greek word Γρηγορεῖτε (grégoreó, pronounced gray-gor-eh’-o) which is translated “keep awake.” Yet, in English, it could also be faithfully expressed as Jesus saying, “Be on the lookout for …” or even “You should expect …” And so, let us wonder what it means to be expectant, rather than awake.

In my estimation, Jesus is inviting his followers to expect a hopeful tomorrow because, he assures us, it will come! In fact, because of the Incarnation, it already has come near. There is nothing that we can do, no labor we can accomplish, and no tiredness that can usher in what God has already promised. The late Roman Catholic Bishop Ken Untener beautifully penned this Christian truth when he affirmed that, “It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is beyond our vision … We are prophets of a future not our own.”

As the busy holiday season envelopes us and our culture asks us to do more than is humanly possible, I encourage you to step back and consider what God has already done. Jesus has already been born, and the Kingdom of God has already come near. The promise of Christ is that one day, of which we do not know the date, God will set all things right. Let us trust in Jesus who faithfully keeps watch so that we can rest in God’s promises. And, if we can rest in these promises, what good things can we certainly expect?

Opening Activity Part 2

Focus on how God has already done everything necessary for this world in having sent Jesus to be born. This means that our role is to step back, consider what God has already done, and rest in the promises which God gives to all. Instead of urgency lest we miss it, Jesus is inviting us to expect goodness that will surely come one day.

What does this look like for Jesus followers today? Invite all the attendees to turn their pieces of paper over and write how Jesus is inviting them to let God keep watch? What goodness ought you expect? Some examples of this could be:

• Those gathered at holiday meals can pray the Lord’s Prayer together despite strong disagreements.
• The congregation can begin a program to address food/rent insecurity for everyone.
• One person could send a holiday card to an estranged friend asking for another opportunity.
• Those who are sleepy can have a nap after church services.

Resting in Christ’s promises is also very personal, so participants may want to keep this part of the exercise private as well. In all of this, we do not accomplish what God has already done, for God has redeemed the world through Jesus. But we do experience glimpses of hope which make us expectant for the one, unknown day that God will make all things new, all things whole, and set everything right.

Closing Activity

If your space allows for it to be done safely, have adults burn their own pieces of paper and help minors burn theirs in the flame of the first Advent candle. If your space does not allow for this, have a responsible leader collect all the pieces of paper and make sure to tell everyone in attendance that they will be burned using the flame of the first Advent candle.

This can be done in an outdoors firepit, a fireplace, etc. after the gathering. If this is done outside of the gathering, it is important that the individual(s) tasked with the burning maintain confidentiality and not read what people have written. It is also important that the flame of the first Advent candle is somehow used in the burning.

In whatever way you choose to complete the closing activity, remind everyone that Jesus invites them to rest in God’s promises and expect something good to come.

Ending Prayer

You may all choose to pray together the late Roman Catholic Bishop Ken Untener’s prayer. It is a long prayer so you can choose to pray only a section, have it printed so multiple voices can read, or simply make a copy for everyone to take home.

The Romero Prayer

“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No sermon or statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about. We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything. There is liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the Master Builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.”

Bio

David Larson-Martínez is a consecrated deacon of the Lutheran Diaconal Association and an ordained pastor serving at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Valparaiso University and Luther Seminary, he grew up in Cuernavaca, Mexico and now happily calls the Twin Cities home. David treasures his large cross-border family—his mom, five siblings, and a growing crew of nieces and nephews who live in both Mexico and the United States.