Source: Saintjohnmission,org
O Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, we
who venerate thee with love, are in perplexity how
worthily to praise thee; for the barrenness of her who
bore thee and the dumbness of thy father are loosed by thy
glorious and precious nativity, and the incarnation of the
Son of God is preached to the world.
– Troparion of the feast
The Nativity of John the Baptist is an event pointing to the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. “The star of stars, the Forerunner, is born on earth today, from a barren womb, John the beloved of God, and manifests the dawning of Christ, the Orient from on high” (from the Praises at Matins on the Feast). From this day forward the preparation of the human race begins to meet of the Son of God on earth. The announcement of the holy Archangel Gabriel to Zacharias in the Temple begins the New Testament Gospel. The announcement of the same Archangel Gabriel six months later in Nazareth to the Virgin Mary, is the continuation of the revelation of concerning the salvation of the human race.
Saint John the Forerunner
As members of The Church, we are called to proclaim the wonderful works of God. We are to proclaim and show that the barrenness and dumbness of creation has been filled with life and praise. God has given us the greatest of prophets, to show us how we should prepare ourselves to greet the Lord. Like John, we are to continue to remind ourselves of the prophetic words which awakens our barren soul from the slumber of sin. Like John, we are called to direct our lives toward repentance by which we are drawn into the embrace of the Giver of Life.
Celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy, Glorious, Forerunner, and Baptist John; we reaffirm the joy by which God regenerates and transfigures life; grants the newness of life emerging from the barrenness of sin and death; and visits and heals us through His grace and love for mankind.
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to
Christ¹s Forerunner, who is the fulfillment of every
prophecy; for in the Jordan, when he laid his hand on the
One foretold by the prophets, he was revealed as Prophet,
Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.
– Kontakion of the feast
