Today is halfway to Christmas and fittingly it is the
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist is the Lord’s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way. “Prophet of the Most High”, John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last.
He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being “the friend of the bridegroom”, whom he points out as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.
Going before Jesus “in the spirit and power of Elijah”, John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom.
When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.
By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” CCC 523-524
Happy half-Christmas!
FYI, only 183 more shopping days until Christmas! 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
darcee 06.24.08 at 11:23 am
183 days doesn’t seem that long anymore. Does this mean I am getting old?
Dei 06.24.08 at 3:01 pm
What a wonderful perspective in celebrating Jesus’ birth! We use the same phrase of “He must increase, but I must decrease”, “Let God, Let go,” in our BSF Bible study. Thanks for the refresher.
Leonie 06.24.08 at 6:23 pm
I love this solemity - we always have a little bit of Christmas in June - typically Christmas pudding and custard.