meditation on Baptism of Christ

[Tyburn]

The churchs one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord
she is his new creation
by water and the word
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his Holy Bride
with his own blood he bought her
and for her life he died

elect from every nation
yet one over all the earth
her charter of salvation
one lord, one faith, one birth
one holy name she blesses
partakes one holy food
and to one hope she presses
with every grace endued

though with scorneful wonder
men see her sore opprest
by schisms rent asunder
by heresies distrest
yet saints their watch are keeping
their cry goes up "how long?"
and soon the night of weeping
shall be the morne of song

amid toil and tribulation
and tumalt of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest

yet she on earth hath union
with God the three in one
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won
oh happy ones and Holy
Lord give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly
on high may dwell with thee

Eternal Father who at the Baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son anointing him with The Holy Spirit, grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, Our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. One God, now and forever.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven "you are my Son, The beloved, with you I am well pleased"

Faith is the gift of GOD to his people, in Baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling.

In Baptism GOD calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to New life with him.

As a Royal Priesthood, let us pray to the Father, through Christ who ever lives to intercede for us: Reveal your Kingdom amoung the Nations, and may Peace abound and Justice Flourish. Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit, and renew your church with powers from on high. Deliver the oppressed, strengthen the weak, and heal and restore your creation.

There is one Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, by one Spirit we are all Baptised into one body. God has made us One in Christ. He had set his seal upon us and as a pledge of what is to come has given the Spirit to Dwell in our Hearts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPKL1wOVXk

Come down Oh love divine
seek thou this soul of mine
and visit it with thine own ardour glowing
oh comforter draw near
within my hear appear
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing

and so the yearning strong
with which the sould will long
shall far outpass the power of human telling
for none can guess its grace
till he become the place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes its dwelling

Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus, your beloved Son. By the power of your Spirit, complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation.

May Almighty GOD deliver you from the powers of Darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ