19. 24 June - Nativity of St John the Baptist

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19. 24 June - Nativity of St John the Baptist

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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.