The feast of Nativity of John the Baptist stands out for many reasons, but the most obvious one is that it is one of three nativities on the Church Calendar. The other two are the Nativity of Mary, the Mother of God and Christmas, the feast of Our Lord’s Nativity.
In fact, today’s feast is a reminder that Christmas is only six months away. Much like John the Baptist did, today’s feast is a proclamation to prepare the way for Christ and all that His coming promises.
John the Baptist was a contemporary and a relative of Christ who was known for evangelization and his baptizing of Jesus Christ. He was the last of all prophets, who was sent to make way for the saviour.
He was born through the intercession of God to Zachariah and Elizabeth, who was otherwise too old to bear children. According to scriptures, the Angel Gabriel visited Elizabeth and Zachariah to tell them they would have a son and that they should name him John. Zachariah was sceptical and for this he was rendered mute until the time his son was born and named John, in fulfilment of God's will.
When Elizabeth was pregnant with John, she was visited by Mary, and John leapt in her womb, listening to the greetings of Mary. This revealed to Elizabeth that the child Mary carried was to be the Son of God.
John began public ministry around 30 AD, and was known for attracting large crowds across the province of Judaea and around the Jordan River. He exhorted the people to turn away from their sinful life. John preached repentance and the kingdom of God and went about baptising people.
When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John recognized him and said, "It is I who need baptism from you."
Jesus asked John to baptize Him anyway, which he did, whereupon the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God was seen like a dove. The voice of God spoke, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
John instructed his followers to turn to Christ, calling Him the "Lamb of God" and these people were among the first Christians.
Following his baptism of Christ, John's popularity grew so much that he alarmed King Herod. Herod ordered him arrested and imprisoned. John spoke with Herod on several occasions and condemned his marriage to his half-brother's wife.
This condemnation resulted in his downfall as King Herod promised to grant a wish to his daughter. In revenge for John the Baptist's condemnation of her mother's scandalous marriage to Herod, she asked for John's head. King Herod reluctantly obliged.
John the Baptist was martyred sometime between 33 and 36 AD.
He is the patron saint of Jordan, Puerto Rico, French Canada and many other places.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Alena
2. Saint Rumold
3. Saint Gohardus of Nantes
4. Saint Ivan the Hermit
5. Saint Faustus of Rome
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