"The Baptism of Jesus" for Handbells and Water Gong by Jeff Traster, Jan 11, 2026

Описание: The Music:
The opening tune, Shalom Chaverim, is a traditional Jewish folk tune widely known today.
It is often sung as a round (canon) in four parts: introduced as a single melody, with another voice entering every two measures – as if one person or family embarked on foot to see John and were joined on the road by others with the same destination.

A second Jewish tune, Shalom Aleichem (Peace be upon you!), is introduced in tandem with Shalom Chaverim, representing other tribes of Israel, and perhaps non-Jews as well, joining the procession. This tune, also in a minor key, melodically contains the characteristic middle-eastern augmented second interval.
The bells ring together in full sound the mid-section of Shalom Aleichem (m19), the travelers thickening as they draw closer and closer to “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” the historical location of Jesus’ Baptism.

The musical volume diminishes as John’s attention turns fully to Jesus; a quiet, brief conversation is exchanged, “It is I who need to be baptized by YOU,” John exhorts, as people nearby strain to hear bits of the conversation. “Let it be so now, in that we fulfill all righteousness,” replies Jesus.

The music swells as John prepares to cleanse another…
The water gong symbolizes Jesus’ immersion and rising from the water.
A cascade of sound falls from the highest bells to midrange, symbolizing the Descending Dove.
The bass bells begin to rumble and crescendo, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Three massive chords foretell the coming Temptations, and the final Low Bell, God’s triumph over evil.

Shalom Chaverim – Lyrics in English
o Shalom, my friends! Shalom, my friends! Shalom, shalom!
o Till we meet again, till we meet again, shalom, shalom.
Usage: It is widely used as a song of parting or blessing at the end of gatherings, worship services, and school assemblies.
o The Term "Shalom": In Hebrew, shalom carries multiple meanings, including peace, hello, goodbye, and completeness or well-being.
“Shalom aleichem” (שלום עליכם) is a traditional Hebrew greeting meaning "peace be upon you," with the appropriate response being “aleichem shalom” ("unto you, peace"). It is also the title of a beloved hymn sung by Jews every Friday night to welcome the Sabbath (Shabbat), inviting guardian angels into their homes for blessings and peace.

PROLOGUE
by The Rev. Dr. John T. DeBevoise
January 11, 2026

This Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Centennial Kick-Off Sunday is, liturgically, for the larger Church around the world the Sunday when the Church remembers the Baptism of Our Lord. The Gospel reading, following the lectionary cycle, brings us the story from Mathew’s narrative.

The handbell anthem, heard in its inaugural presentation in worship today, seeks to
depict the scenes of Jesus’ Baptism through music.

The History:
After the infancy stories of Jesus, Matthew’s Gospel sets the entry of Jesus as an adult along the Jordan River, where Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, is preaching repentance and renewal, using water baptism as the physical ritual for those embracing John’s call.

The description of the spot as “in the wilderness” means not only away from the metropolis of Jerusalem and the villages, but also conveys the sense of challenge and vulnerability encountered in the wilderness. Recall that it is in “the wilderness” where Jesus in Matthew experiences the temptations. The people had heard of John for miles around; they came to hear him speak and be baptized/cleansed by him. John’s influence grew strong enough that even Pharisees and Sadducees made the journey to observe what was happening. Some asked John if he was the Messiah, but John consistently points them toward Jesus.

The Christian church did not invent baptism. Ancient texts and archeological evidence show baptism was being practiced as a repentance and renewal ritual for over 100 years before Jesus. Some scholars connect it with the practice of the Jewish purifying water-bath called the Mikvah, which is still practiced in the Jewish Community in many places today, often as a preparation for marriage, conversion, renewal, and religious holy days.

We can all identify with the connection between water, life, cleanliness, restoration, and spirituality. Following Jesus’ exhortation at the end of Matthew (28:19-20) that John must baptize Him “to fulfill all righteousness,” the Church embraces baptism as its sacrament of initiation.

Jesus’ baptism is recorded in all four of the Gospels, each witness noting details specific to that Gospel, but all recalling the baptism, the descending dove, and the Divine Fatherly voice. The appearance, in a scriptural moment, of all 3 aspects of the Trinity: Son, Father, Holy Spirit, is called a Theophany.

(Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:28-34).

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