Children's Message

Date: January 11, 2026

Scripture:

Isaiah 42:1–9; Matthew 3:13–17

Isaiah 42:1–9, New International Reader's Version

The Lord’s Chosen Servant

42 “Here is my servant. I take good care of him.
I have chosen him. I am very pleased with him.
I will put my Spirit on him.
He will bring justice to the nations.
² He will not shout or cry out.
He will not raise his voice in the streets.
³ He will not break a bent twig.
He will not put out a dimly burning flame.
He will be faithful and make everything right.
⁴ He will not grow weak or lose hope.
He will not give up until he brings justice to the earth.
The islands will put their hope in his teaching.”
⁵ God created the heavens and stretches them out.
The Lord spreads out the earth with everything that grows on it.
He gives breath to its people.
He gives life to those who walk on it.
He says to his servant,
⁶ “I, the Lord, have chosen you to do what is right.
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you safe.
You will put into effect my covenant with the people of Israel.
And you will be a light for the Gentiles.
⁷ You will open eyes that can’t see.
You will set prisoners free.
Those who sit in darkness will come out of their cells.
⁸ “I am the Lord. That is my name!
I will not let any other god share my glory.
I will not let statues of gods share my praise.
⁹ What I said would happen has taken place.
Now I announce new things to you.
Before they even begin to happen,
I announce them to you.”

Matthew 3:13–17, New International Reader's Version

Jesus Is Baptized

¹³ Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. He wanted to be baptized by John.
¹⁴ But John tried to stop him. So he told Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you. So why do you come to me?”
¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this. It carries out God’s holy plan.” Then John agreed.
¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.
¹⁷ A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.”

Message:

Good morning, friends. Today, I want you to use your imagination again. Let’s pretend we are standing beside a quiet, gentle flowing river. The sun is sparkling on the water like little diamonds; birds are singing in the trees, and the air feels warm and peaceful on our faces. Can you take a soft breath and imagine such a peaceful place with me?

Now, imagine Jesus stepping into that river. The water ripples around his feet. John the Baptist is waiting, ready to baptize Jesus. Everyone watches quietly as Jesus goes down into the water. When Jesus comes back up, something amazing happens. The sky opens wide, almost like someone pulled back a curtain, and a bright, warm light shines on Jesus. It feels like the warmest sunshine you’ve ever felt. From that bright light came God’s loving voice, saying, “This is my Son, and I love him.”

Take a moment to imagine that warm light shining on you too. Because it is. God’s light didn’t shine only on Jesus. God’s love shines on you every single day, when you’re happy, when you’re scared, when you’re trying something new, when you feel lonely, or when you need help. God’s presence is like a warm light that never goes away.

Sometimes we can feel God’s light inside our hearts. We feel it when we are brave. We feel it when we share or when we help someone who needs a friend. We feel it when we forgive someone or do something kind. We certainly feel it when we model justice. What is justice? (Allow children to answer.) Justice is being fair, treating everyone equally, and helping others get what they deserve. Let’s try something together. Take your hand and gently place it on your heart. Can you feel your heartbeat? Imagine that God’s warm light is glowing there inside you. God’s warm light glows deeper when we help those who need a friend, or forgive someone for a wrong they did, or treat someone with kindness by being fair and equal.

Now let’s remember that warm light by singing “This Little Light of Mine.” When we sing, let’s point to our hearts, where God’s love shines. When we sing, “I’m gonna let it shine,” we’ll reach our hands out to share that love with the world. Ready to try it together?

(Sing the song with motions.)

God’s light is always with you, shining around you and inside you. You are never alone because God’s love stays close, no matter where you go or how you feel.

Let’s pray together.