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let us proclaim the light

Friday, June 24 is the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

Since the earliest days of the Church, John the Baptist has been honored - at one point meriting three masses, just like Christmas, and at another requiring a a two-week period of fasting in preparation for the celebration! His feast also dovetails with the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year - and is a reminder of John's calling to proclaim the coming light of Christ.

The Feast of St. John the Baptist is a reminder to us all the take up John's cry in our current time and place: “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” We perpetually inhabit a second advent, awaiting the return of our Lord. Let us be diligent in preparing our own hearts for His coming and in pointing others to the light.

Pray

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, boldly rebuke vice, patiently suffer for the sake of truth, and proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Collect for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Sing

Burn

John’s feast day is most often celebrated with large bonfires on hilltops and mountains and, in Europe, large festivals. The fires are a reminder and a reflection of Christ -the light of the world - and the man who called for people to prepare for the coming Christ.

It’s a great night to host a cookout and enjoy a bonfire (or just a standard firepit). Don’t forget to bless your fire!

Blessing the Fire:

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

Almighty God, source of all light, bless and sanctify these flames that they may be to us a source of light and warmth. Refine us by the fire of your love that we may shine forth your light in the world as a beacon on a hill. Grant us grace to one day come into the presence of your perpetual light. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Bonus

I would be remiss if I allowed this feast day to pass without mentioning WHY the feast of St. John the Baptist is held in late June.

First - note that this feast is held six months ahead of Christmas.

John's birthday is placed in June because an angel appeared to his father, Zechariah, when he was serving in the temple during - what scholars believe was - the Feast of Atonement. This feast is generally in mid-late September. September plus nine months puts John's birthday in late June.

Also, we know from the book of Luke that John was six months older than Jesus. June plus six months puts Jesus's birthday in December and this is why Christians have celebrated Christmas in late December since late third century.

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