Celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

The prophet Isaiah wrote those words 700 years before Christ walked the earth. Of all the prophets found in the Old Testament, most of Isaiah’s prophecies were fulfilled in Christ’s first coming. He did not stop there, but also spoke of a second coming, the one we wait in joyful hope for today.

Christmas is not a singular day within the Church. It is a season, beginning on Christmas Eve and the midnight Mass. The Church tells us that Christmas is an Octave, or eight-day celebration. The Octave of Christmas begins on the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord and concludes on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on January 1. Many Catholics celebrate a second day of giving gifts with the Feast of Three Kings. This would also be in keeping with the Twelve Days of Christmas, beginning with the Nativity and ending on the eve of the Epiphany. As a girl growing up, we never packed up the decorations of Christmas until after January 6. It is a tradition that I have continued throughout my life. Still others wait until the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord to signal an end to the Christmas Season. This year, under that observance, today would be the end of the Christmas Season. The longest Christmas Season is the one that begins with the Nativity and ends with the Candlemas, celebrated on February 2. Can you imagine? That would make all the time taken to decorate our homes in holiday flair worthwhile, don’t you think?

In our house, the decorations have remained in place until today. Not out of any new observation of faith, but because January 6 was a Monday, and we are packing up a little differently this year. I’ll requiring Hubby’s help this time around. Moving forward, instead of decorating for the holidays with every decoration in our massive collection, we will decorate by Theme (Santas, Nutcrackers, Snowmen and Christmas Characters). Of course, faith will always be present in the form of Advent Wreaths and our Bethlehem Village. Baby Jesus will not arrive until we return from Midnight Mass and the wise men will continue to wander through the house until their arrival on January 6.

It really doesn’t matter when you pack away the decorations. What does matter is that we keep the true meaning of Christ-Mas in our hearts. Believing in the birth of Christ isn’t just for a day, it’s for a lifetime. Let Christ come into your life and transform you. Born again isn’t just a new-age concept of Christian Faith. It’s what is truly asked of us, that we shed this life, leave our sinful selves behind and are born again in Him. We are His arms, His legs, His Messengers of kindness, compassion and good will here on earth.

Oh, and for the record today is the First Sunday of Ordinary Times. That should give you yet another hint as to the end of the Christmas Season. Be blessed always. Make this Sunday and every Sunday a special time for family. Enjoy!

Classic Sunday Pot Roast
3 lbs Beef Chuck Roast
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
6 Garlic Cloves
1 large White Onion
6 medium Red Potatoes
2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 cup Red Wine
2 cups Beef Stock
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 lb Baby Carrots
1 spring Rosemary

Generously season both sides of the Chuck Roast with salt and pepper. Let roast rest on the counter until ready to sear.

Peel and mince garlic. Peel onion, cut into 2-inch chunks. Scrub potatoes, cut into large bite-size chunks. Set the vegetables aside.

Add vegetable oil to the bottom of the Instant Pot, select Sauté Setting, high, 8 minutes. When ready, sear roast until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove roast from the insert, set aside on a plate.

Add garlic to the pot, sauté for 60 seconds. Deglaze the bottom of the pot with red wine and beef stock.

Cancel settings on the Instant Pot, add roast to the liquid. Add Worcestershire Sauce to the mix. Smother roast with onion chunks, a scattering of carrots and the red potatoes. Place rosemary sprig on top. Secure lid on the Instant Pot Cooker. Select Pressure Cook, High Setting for 60 minutes. Press start.

Allow the pressure to release naturally at the end of the cook for 15 minutes, then switch the release valve to vent remaining pressure.

With a large slotted spoon remove the vegetables and arrearage out the outer rim of a large serving platter. Carefully remove roast (it is falling apart tender at this point) and place in the center of the vegetable arrangement. Strain cooking liquid into a gravy boat and serve alongside the platter.

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O LORD, my God, You are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
You have spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth;
O bless the Lord, my soul.