The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist celebrates the miraculous birth of the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist commemorates the miraculous birth of Jesus' cousin, born to elderly parents Zechariah and Elizabeth, fulfilling ancient prophecies and marking him as the last great prophet of the Old Covenant and the first herald of the New. John is renowned as the Precursor of Christ, whose mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the wilderness of Judea, culminating in his pivotal act of baptizing Jesus in the Jordan, thereby initiating Jesus' public ministry. His life exemplifies humility, prophetic zeal, and unwavering dedication to truth, serving as a model for Christians to embrace their own call to prepare the way for Christ in their lives and in the world.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist marks a pivotal moment in salvation history, celebrating the miraculous birth of the one chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. His story begins with his elderly parents, Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah, and Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron, both righteous before God but long past the age of childbearing and without children. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that Elizabeth would bear a son, whom they were to name John. This son, Gabriel prophesied, would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb and would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, going before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare a people for the Lord. Zechariah, doubting due to his and his wife's advanced age, was struck mute until the prophecy's fulfillment, a sign of the divine power at work. This miraculous conception underscores John's extraordinary calling and preordained role in God's plan, setting him apart even before his birth as a unique instrument of divine providence.
Six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy, her cousin Mary, having just received the Annunciation of Jesus' conception, visited her. This encounter, known as the Visitation, is a profoundly significant moment in the narrative of John the Baptist. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, the infant John, still in his mother's womb, leaped for joy, a clear sign of his recognition of the presence of the Lord, Jesus, in Mary's womb. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy." This event reveals John's prophetic spirit even before birth, confirming his role as the forerunner who would announce the coming of Christ, acknowledging Him with joy and spiritual insight.
When the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, she bore a son, bringing great joy to her neighbors and relatives. On the eighth day, according to custom, they gathered for the child's circumcision and intended to name him Zechariah, after his father. However, Elizabeth firmly declared, "No, he shall be called John." When they questioned Zechariah, he, still mute, requested a writing tablet and wrote, "John is his name." Immediately, his mouth was opened, and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah then uttered a beautiful prophecy, the Benedictus, foretelling his son's role: "And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." This prophecy solidified John's mission as the final prophet of the Old Covenant and the immediate herald of the New.
As John grew, he lived a life of asceticism in the desert, away from the settled towns, until the time of his public manifestation to Israel. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey, and his clothing was of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, mirroring the appearance of the prophet Elijah, signaling his role as the one who would come in Elijah's spirit and power. When the word of God came to him in the wilderness, he began his public ministry, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the region around the Jordan. Crowds flocked to him from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding regions, confessing their sins and being baptized by him in the Jordan River. His message was stark and uncompromising, calling for genuine inner conversion and bearing fruit worthy of repentance, challenging the religious establishment and preparing the hearts of the people for the arrival of the Messiah.
The pinnacle of John's ministry was the baptism of Jesus. When Jesus came to him at the Jordan to be baptized, John initially hesitated, recognizing Jesus' divine superiority, stating, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" However, Jesus insisted, saying, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." John complied, and as Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." This momentous event not only marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry but also served as a divine confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God, witnessed and proclaimed by John, thereby fulfilling John's primary mission as the Precursor.
John's unwavering commitment to truth and his prophetic courage ultimately led to his martyrdom. He publicly denounced Herod Antipas for unlawfully marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. This courageous act earned him Herodias's bitter enmity, leading to his imprisonment and subsequent beheading at her manipulative instigation, through her daughter Salome, during a banquet. Even in death, John remained a powerful witness to righteousness, a testament to his uncompromising fidelity to God's law. His life, from miraculous birth to heroic death, serves as an enduring model of humility, self-effacement, and prophetic zeal. His famous declaration, "He must increase, but I must decrease," encapsulates his entire being and mission, beautifully illustrating his complete dedication to preparing the way for Christ and then stepping aside so that the Light of the World could shine forth. He stands as the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets, the bridge between the two covenants, and the first to explicitly point to Jesus as the Lamb of God, making him an indispensable figure in Christian tradition and a profound example for all believers.
It was in those days, when the young Virgin Mary, having just received the astonishing news from the Archangel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God, hastened to the hill country of Judea. Her destination was the home of her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who, despite her advanced years, was also miraculously pregnant, now six months along with the child who would be known as John. Mary, filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, approached Elizabeth’s humble dwelling.
As Mary entered the house and uttered her greeting, a most extraordinary event unfolded. The Gospel tells us that at the very sound of Mary's voice, the infant within Elizabeth’s womb, John, stirred with an undeniable, vibrant joy. He literally leaped! Elizabeth, sensing the profound spiritual significance of this movement, was instantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Her voice, echoing with prophetic insight, cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy."
This miraculous leap was not a mere fetal movement; it was the first prophetic act of Saint John the Baptist. Even before his birth, before he could speak a single word, he recognized the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ, in Mary’s womb. It was a silent, yet powerful, proclamation of the Messiah's arrival, a joyful acknowledgment from the one chosen to prepare His way. This moment reveals the very essence of John's character and faith: his immediate and unwavering recognition of Christ's divinity, his humility in joyful submission to the Lord, and his prophetic spirit, filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb, already fulfilling his mission as the Precursor. It signifies that from the earliest possible moment, John was utterly dedicated to his singular purpose: to point to Jesus.
Circa 27-30 AD
You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his grain into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
I am not the Messiah. Then who are you? Are you Elijah? I am not. Are you the Prophet? No. Who are you, so that we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say about yourself? I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert, Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said. Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet? I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel. I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testify that he is the Son of God.
No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.
Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise. Stop exacting anything more than what is prescribed. Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.
Circa 4th-5th Century AD
Today is the solemnity of the holy John the Baptist, whom the Church is accustomed to honor with a special feast day, as it does also with the blessed Peter and Paul, and with the most blessed Mother of God, because it is celebrated on the day of his birth. For the other saints, the day of their death is honored, for on that day they were reborn to life eternal. But in the case of John, it is the day on which he was born of his parents that is celebrated, because it was on that day that his miraculous birth was made known to the world, and his voice was heard, the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He was a voice, but the Lord was the Word. John was a voice for a time, but Christ was the Word from eternity.
For how does he prepare the way for the Lord? By preaching repentance. What is the meaning of repentance? It is a change of heart, a turning away from sin, a conversion to God. John preached that men should repent, for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. He did not say, 'Repent, for I am the Christ,' but 'Repent, for the Christ is coming.' He pointed to Christ, he did not point to himself. He was the lamp, but not the light. He was the friend of the Bridegroom, but not the Bridegroom himself. He prepared the way for the Lord, not for his own glory, but for the glory of Him who was to come.
Consider his humility. When Jesus came to him to be baptized, John, who had baptized so many, who had received such great crowds, who was renowned throughout Judea, said, 'I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?' What humility! What a recognition of the Lord's majesty! He saw the Lamb of God, and he knew his own place. He was not worthy to untie the strap of His sandal. He was the voice, but Christ was the Word. He was the servant, but Christ was the Master.
And what was the fruit of his preaching? Many came to him, confessing their sins and being baptized. But he did not flatter them. He called them a 'brood of vipers,' demanding true repentance, not just outward show. He challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees, those who relied on their lineage from Abraham, reminding them that God could raise up children to Abraham from stones. He taught them that true righteousness comes from within, from a transformed heart, not from outward observance alone. He taught them to share, to be just, to be content with their wages. He taught them practical righteousness.
His life was a prophecy. He was born miraculously, just as Christ was conceived miraculously. He leaped in his mother's womb at the presence of Christ, foreshadowing his role as the forerunner. He lived in the wilderness, detached from worldly comforts, showing the asceticism required for one who prepares the way for God. He was the last of the prophets, bridging the Old Covenant and the New, pointing directly to the fulfillment of all prophecy in Jesus Christ. His life was a testament to his mission: to decrease, so that Christ might increase. And in his death, he bore witness to the truth, even unto martyrdom, for he fearlessly rebuked Herod for his unlawful marriage. He was indeed a burning and shining lamp, illuminating the path to the true Light.
Lighting large bonfires on St. John's Eve (June 23rd).
Christianized from ancient midsummer celebrations, symbolizing Saint John as the "burning and shining lamp" (John 5:35) who heralded the coming of Christ, and believed to purify and ward off evil.
Engaging in ritual bathing in rivers, lakes, or the sea at dawn on June 24th, or collecting dew from fields.
Directly associated with Saint John the Baptist's role as the baptizer and the purification he preached, invoking blessings and protection.
Collecting specific herbs and flowers, such as St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), mugwort, and ferns, on St. John's Eve. These are often used for medicinal purposes, protection, or as part of folk remedies.
Linked to ancient midsummer beliefs about the peak power of nature and the sun's influence, which were Christianized, associating the herbs' perceived potency with the special grace of Saint John's feast day.
Organizing vibrant street parades, community feasts, music, and dancing.
A joyful celebration of the birth of Saint John the Baptist, a major solemnity in the Church calendar, honoring his pivotal role as the precursor to Christ.
Many churches, chapels, and towns are dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The name 'John' (and its linguistic variations like Juan, Jean, Ivan, Giovanni) is also very popular for boys, often given around this feast day.
Reflects the profound veneration and importance of Saint John the Baptist as the precursor of Christ and a pivotal figure in salvation history.
Fresh sardines grilled over charcoal, often served with boiled potatoes or bell peppers. This is a staple of the outdoor festivities.
A traditional, seasonal, and abundant food consumed during the São João (St. John) festivities, particularly in Porto, reflecting the communal outdoor feasting and bonfires.
A sweet flatbread, often decorated with candied fruits and pine nuts, or a savory version with vegetables and meat.
The quintessential pastry consumed during the celebrations on the Eve of Sant Joan, often enjoyed during the bonfires and communal gatherings.
Cooked snails, typically prepared in a savory broth or sauce.
A traditional and seasonal dish enjoyed as part of the communal feasting during the Sant Joan festivities, reflecting local culinary customs.
A dark, rich liqueur made from unripe green walnuts, spices, and alcohol.
The green walnuts for Nocino are traditionally gathered on St. John's Eve (June 23rd) when they are believed to be at their optimal stage of ripeness and potency for this specific liqueur.
Outdoor cooking of various meats, sausages, and vegetables, often accompanying bonfire gatherings.
A practical and traditional way to feed large crowds gathered for outdoor celebrations and bonfires on St. John's Eve, widely observed in many regions where the feast is celebrated with outdoor festivities.