Children's Liturgy Guide

Baptism of the Lord

Year B · Christmas

God Calls Jesus His Beloved Son

Reading: Mark 1:7-11

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

When Jesus was baptized in the river, something amazing happened. The sky opened up, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and God's voice said that Jesus is His beloved Son. God was so happy and proud of Jesus!

Key Points

  • At Jesus' baptism, God the Father spoke from heaven calling Jesus His beloved Son
  • The Holy Spirit appeared as a dove, showing the Trinity present at this moment
  • God delights in Jesus and is well pleased with Him
  • We are also beloved children of God through our own baptism

Background

This passage reveals a Trinitarian theophany: the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. John the Baptist emphasizes his unworthiness compared to Jesus, preparing the way for the greater one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit rather than water alone. The heavenly voice echoes royal and servant imagery from Isaiah. For children, emphasize the concrete, visible moment: the dove coming down and God's voice saying Jesus is His beloved Son whom He loves very much. Set aside the theological complexities of Trinitarian doctrine and the distinction between John's baptism and Christian baptism.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, God, for loving us and calling us your children. Help us to listen to your voice today and to know how much you love us, just like you love Jesus. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Has a grownup ever said something really nice about you in front of other people, like telling everyone how proud they are of you?

Example: One time my grandma told everyone at dinner that she was so proud of me because I learned to tie my shoes all by myself and she gave me a big hug.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so special when someone we love tells everyone how proud they are of us! In today's reading, we will hear about the most special moment when God spoke out loud from heaven to tell everyone how much He loves Jesus, His Son.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Where did John baptize Jesus in this story?

    Example: John baptized Jesus in the river. The river was called the Jordan and Jesus went down into the water.

  2. What did Jesus see coming down from the sky after He came up out of the water?

    Example: Jesus saw the Holy Spirit coming down from the sky and it looked like a dove flying down to Him.

  3. What did the voice from heaven say about Jesus?

    Example: The voice from heaven said that Jesus is God's beloved Son and that God is very pleased with Him.

  4. Why do you think God wanted everyone to hear His voice saying these words about Jesus?

    Example: I think God wanted everyone to know that Jesus is really special and that He is God's own Son and that God loves Him so much.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think Jesus felt when He heard God say He was beloved and that God was pleased with Him?

    Example: I think Jesus felt really happy and warm inside, like when my mom says she is proud of me and gives me a big hug.

  2. God loves you just like He loves Jesus. What could you do to remember that God calls you His beloved child?

    Example: I could say a little prayer in the morning and remember that God loves me and I am special to Him every single day.

  3. This week, how could you help someone in your family feel loved and special the way God makes us feel?

    Example: I could tell my little sister that I love her and give her a hug, or I could draw a picture for my dad to show him he is special.

Recap

Today we heard about the day Jesus was baptized in the river. When Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and God spoke from heaven saying that Jesus is His beloved Son. God was so pleased with Jesus! And here is something wonderful: when we were baptized, God called us His beloved children too.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the babies and children who will be baptized this year, that they may always know they are beloved children of God, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

At every baptism in the Church, the priest or deacon pours water and says words that echo this moment, calling the person a child of God. Some children may have seen a baby baptized at Mass and can connect God claiming Jesus as His Son to how God claims each baptized person as His own child.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for calling Jesus your beloved Son and for calling us your children too. Help us to remember every day that we are loved by you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

God Calls Jesus His Beloved Son

Mark 1:7-11

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

V Y G J J W A T E R V K J V N
S S I U O R D H P W C W G D Q
L L F H R H D L V E J E S U S
E D W A B H N W O L X E B R W
V A N A E N E V A E H Z R X R
F L R Q L L N P E B E N O S Q
E N W E O M Q D M F A T M M H
S I C C V B O O D E S A E L P
P B R I E R T V F I E G I H O
I A R O D Y E E D Y Z G W D P
R P R V H O C V Q G N V F R N
I T N A Q M Q X I R O E V S J
T I V F U A V J A R L M U Y L
I S T Q C C R H M W P M T H M
X M X C M S U R D A M B B N N

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • baptism
  • dove
  • river
  • voice
  • heaven
  • beloved
  • Son
  • water
  • John
  • Spirit
  • pleased

ChildrensLiturgy.org