The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks an important moment in the life of Jesus and in our Christian faith. With this event, Jesus begins His public ministry. He steps out from the hidden life of Nazareth and reveals who He truly is: the beloved Son of the Father, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent for the salvation of the world.
On January 9, 2026, the faithful of Jesus Nazareno Parish in Dansolihon came together with joy and deep devotion to celebrate the Feast of Señor Jesús Nazareno, one of the most cherished religious celebrations in the community. United in prayer, the devotees honored Jesus Christ, who lovingly carried the Cross for the salvation of all.
On this first day of the year, the Church invites us to begin anew under the loving gaze of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The Gospel (Luke 2:16–21) tells us that the shepherds “went in haste” to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger. They were simple people, yet they were the first to witness the glory of God made visible in the child Jesus. And Mary, the Gospel says, “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
In today’s Gospel, we see Joseph once again listening to the voice of God in a dream: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt.” This command, urgent and unsettling, changes the course of the Holy Family’s life. They become refugees, seeking safety in a foreign land. Yet, through Joseph’s prompt obedience and Mary’s silent trust, the will of God unfolds even amid danger and uncertainty.
Once again, we stand before the manger in Bethlehem and gaze upon the mystery of God made flesh. The Gospel of Luke tells us how, in the silence of the night, heaven touched the earth. A child was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. To the eyes of the world, it was an ordinary birth, unnoticed and poor. Yet for those who believe, it is the dawn of salvation and the beginning of a new creation.
SCJ Philippines Region 