In this Sunday’s Gospel, Luke presents the outline to the story of Jesus. Even as we wait for the framework to be filled with a glorious riot of resplendent colors of strength and power, he surprises the readers with somber details of the very humanity of Jesus Christ. Anna, one of the characters at the temple, is waiting for the redemption of Israel. She is all too familiar with suffering herself. In Simeon, the other character’s words it becomes evident that the One who redeems from suffering will Himself partake in it.

In this Sunday's Gospel, we witness the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture recounts, “And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”At Jesus’ baptism, we are invited to experience and witness the remarkable, self-surrendering love of God for all humankind.

"Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you;"(Matthew 2:13) After the Wise men from the East had departed, the angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed him to journey to Egypt in order to protect the Holy Child from those that sought to destroy Him. In obedience, Joseph took Mary and the Holy Child to Egypt, thus fulfilling the prophesy - "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to us concerning John-the one who preached repentance; the one whom people thronged to see and hear; the one who was imprisoned. Jesus pays him the highest compliment when He said, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist." And in His subsequent words Jesus draws us all in: "Yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Worship in the Old Testament prescribed a place where not only the individual, but also the community could worship and offer sacrifices to God. This Sunday's sermon explores the Tabernacle model of worship in our services.

The Psalm of the day-Psalm 98-begins, “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things.” Subsequently, the Psalmist goes on to review God’s victory, encouraging God’s people to rejoice in Him. The Anglican liturgy, spoken and sung, aids us in recounting – to God, ourselves, and each other – who God is and what He has done. It also provides us the opportunity to express our love for Him and commitment to follow Him.