John was the prophetic forerunner of Jesus. He preached conversion, and proclaimed baptism as a symbol of inner repentance. He urged people to prepare for the renewal of Israel through God's divine intervention. He focused on the future and the possibility of imminent divine destruction of the world (eschatology).
The Birth of John the Baptist,
Zechariah Writes Down
John's Name
Alexander Master
John was the son of Zachariah, a priest of the Jerusalem Temple, and Elizabeth, kinswoman of Mary. John was a miracle child, born late in life to Elizabeth who was assumed to be barren. A touching story of the Gospels is when the newly pregnant Mary visits Elizabeth and the unborn John leaps in Elizabeth's womb for joy. (Luke 1:39-44) Accounts of John's life and teachings as well as the baptism of Jesus by John are found in Matthew, Mark and Luke, with Luke's account being the most detailed. John criticized Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch, for his incestuous marriage to Herodias, and for other evil deeds. John was imprisoned by Harod Antipas and later executed at the urging of Herodias.
His feast day is the only one that celebrates a birthday. All other saint's days commemorate the birth of the Saint into Heaven. This feast is celebrated about six months before Christmas, as Elizabeth was in the sixth month of her pregnancy at the time of Jesus' conception. The day is especially important to Latino and European cultures and is celebrated with fetes, fiestas and fireworks.
The Collect of The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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