The Nativity of John the Baptist

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. The story is told in Luke 1,

where the Gospel writer masterfully interweaves the story of annunciation to Zechariah (father of John) with the annunciation to Mary. Zechariah is made unable to speak because he disbelieves the message of the angel Gabriel, while Mary gives us an example by saying, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1.38). We then read that Mary visited her kinswoman Elizabeth (wife of Zechariah and father of John) in Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy and that the baby "leaped for joy" at the approach of Jesus.

Finally, in Luke 1:57-66 (NTFE), we read the story of John's birth:

The time arrived for Elizabeth’s child to be born, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had increased his mercy to her, and they came to celebrate with her.

Now on the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were calling him by his father’s name, Zechariah. But his mother spoke up. “No,” she said, “he is to be called John.”

“None of your relatives,” they objected, “is called by that name.”

They made signs to his father, to ask what he wanted him to be called. He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, “His name is John.”

Everyone was astonished. Immediately his mouth and his tongue were unfastened, and he spoke, praising God. Fear came over all those who lived in the neighborhood, and people spoke of all these things throughout all the hill country of Judaea. Everyone who heard about it turned the matter over in their hearts.

“What then will this child become?” they said. And the Lord’s hand was with him.

"What will this child become?" That was the question, but his father Zechariah was filled with Spirit and prophesied to give an answer, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, Israel’s God! He’s come to his people and bought them their freedom. He’s raised up a horn of salvation for us in David’s house, the house of his servant, just as he promised, through the mouths of his prophets, the holy ones, speaking from ages of old:

salvation from our enemies, rescue from hatred, mercy to our ancestors, keeping his holy covenant. He swore an oath to Abraham our father, to give us deliverance from fear and from foes, so we might worship him, holy and righteous before his face to the end of our days.

You, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest One, You’ll go before the Lord, preparing his way, letting his people know of salvation, through the forgiveness of all their sins. The heart of our God is full of mercy, that’s why his daylight has dawned from on high, bringing light to the dark, as we sat in death’s shadow, guiding our feet in the path of peace.” (Luke 1:68-79, NTFE)

On this day, may the light dawn upon you. Here is the prayer for today:

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.