FRIDAY, June 24 The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Luke 1:57-80. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

Years ago I was in a parish staff meeting reviewing the calendar of activities when a fellow staff member noted the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist with great puzzlement. “What a random date,” the man exclaimed. “Why is it here at the end of June?”

I reminded him of the history of Christmas. Ages ago the church placed the festival of Christmas in the midst of the winter solstice celebrations to correlate with the victory of light over darkness. As the sun reaches its nadir, and darkness seems to be the victor, light begins growing in its power and duration. It echoes the reign of Christ.

The metaphor is reversed with John. His feast occurs in the midst of the summer solstice. As the sun marks its zenith and begins to diminish, we remember John the Baptist who paved the way for Jesus and proclaimed, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Isn’t that a fitting credo and lesson for us all?

Pray for the Diocese of Omu-Aran (Province of Ibadan, Nigeria)

Ps 85 or 85:7-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; Acts 13:14b-26

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.

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Seeking

Jun 24, 2011 at 5:50 am

Written by Chris,

In my journey of faith, reading and studying God's Word, sharing in bible studies, worship, devotionals like the Forward Movement, and increasing time in prayer, there is so much about God and His Will that I do not know. I look forward now, each day, to God revealing His Will, granting me understanding of His plans as He sees me ready, and the strength and courage to live a more righteous life unto Him.

Thank you Chris!

Jun 24, 2011 at 7:55 am

Written by Susan Crown,

Beautifully sad Chris! Thank you for your words....i couldnt agree more. Hope you have a wonderful day! :)

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 8:37 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Thank you to the writer of this meditation. We are blessed with these cycles of celebrations, observances, readings, and prayers provided for us in the church calendar, lectionary, daily office, and prayer book. Forward Day by Day brings them all together in a user-friendly way. Our church subscribes to the pocket editions. I`ve always got it with me. I try to read all of the daily Bible readings, either in my Bible or through the links provided on this page. Now I`m able to write this from my Kindle. Thank you for this manuel of daily Bible readings and devotions!

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 9:15 am

Written by Annette Lynch,

I was disappointed in today's meditation because it lacks Biblical knowledge. The Nativity of John the Baptist has nothing to do with the Summer Solstice. It is exactly 6 months before the Nativity of Jesus because Elizabeth was in her sixth month when Jesus was conceived. So John was six months older than Jesus.

-2

Ass0ciate/LSSC

Jun 24, 2011 at 10:42 am

Written by nora,

I do not know if it is Biblical correct or not, either way it is a beautifull way of expressing todays meditation.

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 10:49 am

Written by Bonnie Strickland,

God's Word is chock full of symbolism. Jesus' teaching is heavy with symbolism. Biblical symbolism creates for us spiritual "light bulb moments." Today's devotion was an inspiring reminder of John 3:30. We must diminish in order to let the light of God shine through us.

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Written by Melissa Wiesmann,

Most people believe that these dates must correlate with pagan rituals so that the early Christians would accept them . . . not true!! I agree with the other writer who puts the time frame 6 months before Christ's birth, according to the Gospel stories. . .

I questioned the date of Christmas for so many years and even erroneously told some people that Christ was probably born in January or even April. Then I discovered the Bayside Prophecies--the Lourdes of America--these are the greatest prophecies of the Virgin Mary ever to have occurred on Earth. . . go to the site, if you really want to know what is happening. . . if you want to know truth as it is in the Holy Word of God. . . Christ Himself has told us he was born on December 25th!!!!!

-1

Announcing the Coming of Jesus Daily

Jun 24, 2011 at 12:16 pm

Written by Richard Friel,

The reading from Acts reminds us that John's announcing the coming of Jesus continues for us each and every day. We awake and the sun beckons us to a new day with Jesus at our side, helping us share his message by example as he did with such wonder during his short lifetime.

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Written by Betty J. Scott,

No longer a member of TEC, as I agree with God's Word as opposed to Ms. Schori's far-flung interpretations, I remain appreciative of Forward Day by Day. Today's writing was another thought-provoking good one!
How I long for the Protestant Episcopal Church in America which once was..but I must go where God leads, and '..do what Thou wouldst do'.

...

Jun 24, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Written by Steve Doutt,

We do these things in remembrance. That is the important thing, that we remember. Every tradition counts time differently. The earth and the moon don't move in perfect circles. The sun is moving through space so we are never back in the same place. The earth isn't going around in circles, it's spiraling (or corkscrewing) through space. We can never go back. Time, thank God, is a continuum. Each moment is a new creation.

Let's honor each other and the fact that we join in remembering and sharing His story.

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