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This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord, and Christmas Time comes to its official end. While many people took down their Christmas trees and decorations soon after Christmas Day, our Church has savored and continued to celebrate the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Now we fast-forward about thirty years in the life of Jesus to his baptism by John in the River Jordan. This event occurred as Jesus prepared to begin his public ministry. We put away the trappings of Christmas yet strive to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts throughout the year. In the same way, we celebrate Baptism once yet re-commit to the meaning of our Baptism every day of our lives.
As we begin Ordinary Time and follow the public ministry of Jesus—his teachings, healings, and interactions with others, we are invited to consider how well we are following him and how we will share in his mission in the year ahead.
May this new year be one of growth in faith, hope, and love—in us, in our Church, and in the children and families we serve! Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 3:15–16, 21–22)
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview to make sure the videos are appropriate for your group:
• John Baptizes Jesus
• The Baptism of Jesus
• The Baptism of Jesus
• Holy Heroes: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids—Luke 3:15–16, 21–22
• Our Spiritual Home with Cardinal Timothy Dolan: The Baptistry
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope Resources
• Jubilee 2025 activities, handouts, resources, and more
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Baptism makes us children of God.
For this lesson, you will need crayons or pencils, scissors, a baby doll, a water basin, water, a towel, a shell, paper towel rolls, tape/stapler, and a Church Year calendar. Also, you will use the Baptism photos and memories that parents sent to class with their children. The children will pretend to baptize a baby doll. Encourage each of them to give the baby a name. Make sure you have at least one towel on hand.
Prepare in advance a note to send home asking parents to fill in the date of Baptism on the candle their child created during class.
Note that there are optional readings offered for the First and Second Readings for this Sunday. We have listed the Year C readings in the header on page TG2-32. Your parish may use Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 and Acts 10:34–38 instead. Both options are acceptable.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Baptism
Promise
Lesson Theme: Baptism makes us children of God.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, pencils, holy water in a small bowl, copies of Catechism handbook page 14 (one per child), copies of the story coloring page, and a Church Year calendar.
If a child’s parents did not return the requested information about their child’s Baptism, be prepared to send the “My Baptism” activity (pages 3–4) home with a note asking the parents to complete it with their child. You may wish to arrange for an aide or aides to assist with the cutting activity.
Since there is emphasis on the Sign of the Cross—both its gestures and words—in this lesson, we suggest that you bring a cross or crucifix if there isn’t already one in your classroom.
Note that there are optional readings offered for the First and Second Readings for this Sunday. We have listed the Year C readings in the header on page TG2-32. Your parish may use Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 and Acts 10:34–38 instead. Both options are acceptable.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Baptism
Good News
Lesson Theme: Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit.
For this lesson, you will need pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, and a Church Year calendar. Although it’s not suggested in the Teaching Guide, you may wish to bring examples of the symbols of Baptism (holy water, oil, white garment, candle) for the page 3 activity. Since there is emphasis on the Sign of the Cross—both its gestures and words—in this lesson, make sure to bring in a cross or crucifix if there isn’t already one in your classroom.
Note that there are optional readings offered for the First and Second Readings for this Sunday. We have listed the Year C readings in the header on page TG2-32. Your parish may use Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 and Acts 10:34–38 instead. Both options are acceptable.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Baptism
• What Is the Holy Trinity? “The Trinity Is a Mystery” Song
Venture
Lesson Theme: We receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism.
Remind the children that Christmas is a season, not just a day. We conclude Christmas Time this Sunday with our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Invite them to share their memories and any items they brought from their own Baptisms. Ask: Do you know who attended your Baptism? Who was present at Jesus’ baptism?
You will need scissors, unlined white paper, and markers or colored pencils to create the baptismal symbol activity on page 5 in the lesson. You may wish to create a sample baptismal gown for that activity in advance.
For the Living the Gospel activity (pages 6–7), you will need to create a talking stick or bring materials to make one with the class. Materials may include a stick, feathers, ribbons, a cross, or other symbols of your class.
Note that there are optional readings offered for the First and Second Readings for this Sunday. We have listed the Year C readings in the header on page TG2-32. Your parish may use Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 and Acts 10:34–38 instead. Both options are acceptable.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Sacrament of Baptism
• Baptism | Catholic Central
• What We Do—Heifer International
• Read to Feed (promotional video)
• Read to Feed: Official Video
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit.
Remind the students that Christmas is a season, not just a day. We conclude Christmas Time this Sunday with our celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Ask: Do you know who attended your Baptism? Direct them to look at the images of Jesus’ baptism on the cover and ask them to identify who was present.
This lesson also focuses on the Sacrament of Confirmation. Invite discussion of how these Sacraments of Christian Initiation invite us to belong to the Christian family and also call us to participate. Being a Christian is not passive! Ask: How do you show that you belong to the family of God?
Note that there are optional readings offered for the First and Second Readings for this Sunday. We have listed the Year C readings in the header on page TG2-32. Your parish may use Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 and Acts 10:34–38 instead. Both options are acceptable.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Sacrament of Baptism
• Baptism | Catholic Central
• Sacraments 101: Confirmation (Why We’re Confirmed)
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