Lebanese christians celebrate baptism of Jesus

Christians in Lebanon commemorated at Monday dawn the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. During this religious occasion which falls on the first Sunday after Christmas, believers performed Mass at various churches as part of an old custom in Lebanon, which also includes the blessing of water. Further, sermons were delivered during the ceremonies, in which priests focused on the symbolism of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and the spiritual meanings of this blessed occasion. They also stressed the need to pray for peace in Lebanon and the Arab world to enable believers to live in peace and achieve reconciliation among each other. The sermons also noted that the pilgrimage to the Baptism Site in Jordan to celebrate the annual ritual in the Jordan River boosts friendship and fraternity between Jordan and Lebanon. Preachers also thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II for caring for all Jordanian citizens, especially Christians. This is one of the most important festivities in Lebanon.