It is the Baptism of Our Lord. Today’s Bach cantata is “Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen” (Dearest Emmanuel, duke of the pious).

Today’s Gospel reading is Luke 3:15-17, 21-22:

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

. . . .

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words:

If storms rage,
Jesus sends me from above
rescue and light.

. . . .

You, Jesus, You are mine, and I am Yours;
I will prepare myself for You away from the world;
You shall be in my heart and my mouth.
My entire life
shall be dedicated to You,
until one day I am laid in the grave.

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.

[Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.]