VERSION: 29 April 2002
NATIVITY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
(24 June)
NOTE ON NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
John the Baptist was highly regarded by early Christians. The celebration of his birthday is one of the earliest festivals in the calendar of the church. Augustine, in the fourth century, relates the words of John about Jesus, 'He must increase, but I must decrease' to the shortening of the days after the summer solstice, since after the birthday of Jesus and the winter solstice, the days become longer (in the Northern Hemisphere). The Old Testament prophets might well also be remembered on the birthday of John, the last of the prophets.
(From Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)
LITURGY
SENTENCES
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,
and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.
(Mal 3:1 NRSV)
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Almighty God,
by whose providence
your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born,
and sent to prepare the way for your Son our Saviour,
by preaching repentance:
Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life,
that we may truly repent according to his preaching;
and, like him, constantly speak the truth,
boldly rebuke vice,
and patiently suffer for truth's sake;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Almighty God,
John the Baptist was born
according to your wonderful plan,
and you sent him to prepare the way
for your Son our Saviour,
by preaching repentance.
May we follow his teaching and holy life,
and repent according to his preaching.
Help us, like him, to speak the truth,
denounce what is wrong,
and patiently suffer for the truth's sake.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, alternative
Almighty God,
you gave us an example of faithful witness
in your servant John the Baptist.
Protect us from persecution,
but, if it is your will,
give us courage to suffer
for the sake of the truth that you have revealed to us
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Malachi 3:1-4 A messenger will prepare the Lord's way
PSALM
Psalm 141
Antiphon:
My eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord. (Ps 141:8a NRSV)
SECOND READING
Acts 13:13-26 The witness of John
ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 1:76 NRSV)
Alleluia, alleluia.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 1:57-67(68-80) The birth and naming of John
CANTICLE
The canticle for the day is the Song of Zechariah (Benedictus). This may be sung immediately following the gospel instead of reading the optional verses Luke 1:68-80. For a list of various versions, see the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Canticles', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
HYMNS AND SONGS
BY ALL YOUR SAINTS
The hymn 'By all your saints in warfare' by Horatio Bolton Nelson may be used; the second verse focuses on John the Baptist. It may be sung to the tune Nyland (LH 16), or to the original tune King's Lynn (LBW 177, 178; LW 193, 194; TIS 249). The first line of verse 1 could be changed to: 'By saints on earth who struggle'.
By all your saints in warfare,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy name, O Jesus,
forevermore be blest!
For you have won the battle
that they might wear the crown;
and now they shine in glory
reflected from your throne.
We praise you for the Baptist,
forerunner of the Word,
our true Elijah making
a highway for the Lord.
The last and greatest prophet,
he saw the dawning ray
of light that grows in splendour
until the perfect day.
Then let us praise the Father,
and worship God the Son,
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three-in-one,
till all the ransomed number
fall down before the throne,
ascribing power and glory,
and praise to God alone.
OTHER HYMNS
LH 1 (TIS 264) Hark, a herald voice is calling (* modernised version available)
LH 13 (TIS 270) On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
TIS 282 The voice of God goes out to all the world
VISUAL
COLOUR
The colour for the day is white. Although John was martyred, and martyrs usually are celebrated with red paraments, this day celebrates his birth.
SYMBOLS
John the Baptist symbols include the lamb triumphant and the baptismal shell. His shield is decorated with a belt and locust.
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