Dear friends in Christ,
Today the church celebrates the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. St. John is well worth studying as an example for us: in our celebrity era, it’s profoundly counter-cultural to contemplate an entire life lived to point to another. But that’s just how St. John lived, pointing always to the one greater than himself: Jesus Christ.
But on this day, we celebrate his birth. The Gospel reading for the day shares the miraculous restoration of speech by which St. John’s father was able to speak beautiful prophecy about his son in the words we now know as the Canticle of Zechariah. Here’s part of that Canticle in its NRSV translation (from Luke 1):
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The world of the Eastern Mediterranean 2,000 years ago was gripped by corruption, oppressive leadership, exploitation, and economic disparity. This prophecy offers powerful promises that still hold true today.
On this major feast day, we do well to give thanks for the witness of St. Zechariah, of St. John the Baptist, and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Truly, God’s mercy and grace is the hope of the world, then, now, and always.
In Christ’s peace,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
More from our ministry:
Spend more time with Luke’s Gospel: A Journey with Luke Bible Challenge
Scott shares his thanks with all of you in this end-of-year video
From the Cedar blog: Journeying Toward the True Light
Explore Zechariah’s story and other miracles: Angels of the Bible