THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS, THE FORETASTE OF JOY.

June 24 2020
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Mass during the Day

READINGS: IS 49:1-6; PS 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15; ACTS13:22-26; LK 1:57-66, 80.

A Chinese proverb says, “The wind sweeping through the tower heralds a rising storm in the mountain.” And another Corsican proverb adds, “At birth, your fate is written.”

In the life of the Church, in the liturgical year, the central events are all events referring to the mysteries of the Lord’s life. We can see with what solemnity those events are celebrated. Among the so many beautiful events of the Lord Jesus’ life, we have the mystery of the Incarnation. It stands as the beginning of all. And to reach it, a great time of preparation is given, the Advent season. The second and greatest event of the life of the Lord and even the central event of Christian faith is the Resurrection. For this mystery as well, another greater time of preparation is given, the Lent.

Nevertheless, all the mysteries of the life of Jesus do not come without some other parallels celebrations and solemnities announcing them. In that sense, for example, nine months before Christmas, we celebrate with great solemnity the Annunciation, which is on March 25. Another beautiful festivity leading us toward Christmas is what we are commemorating today, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

Today’s solemnity, beyond all its simplicity and the note of humility that surrounds it, can well be called, and for a reason, the ‘Little Christmas’, for, it is a harbinger of the Christmas celebration. Firstly, it is a little Christmas because it also speaks of Nativity. And secondly, we see it as little Christmas because it is the nativity of the one who comes to prepare the way for the ‘Great Christmas’, the coming of the Lord.

John the Baptist, in all the ways, is a precursor of the Lord. His birth announces a greater birth. Through his coming, he teaches us how gracious is the Lord toward our humanity; the meaning of the name John “God is gracious” in Hebrew. The nativity of John is a sign that foreshadows a new beginning, not only in the life of his two old parents Elizabeth and Zechariah but also a new beginning for the whole of humanity. His nativity tells us that, no matter how dark and long might night be, there will always be a new dawn, a new day, and time for greater joy, a time of consolation. We can easily read this through the words of his mother Elizabeth when she found out that she was expectant: “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others.” (Lk 1:25)

If Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord brings about a joy to the world, the birth of John the Baptist foretells of that joy and it is obvious in the narration of Luke, the joy of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah and the neighbors for the marvels the Lord has worked. The tongues are loosed and all can sing with Zechariah the canticle of Benedictus, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people… And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways…” (Lk 1:68-79).

While celebrating his birth, the readings tell us something about John. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of the Servant of the Lord as one called and sent to be a light to the nations. He speaks actually of the Messiah, and John’s mission will be about preparing the way and revealing that light, Jesus-Christ, the Lamb of God, at His rising. Nevertheless, the birth of John itself brings about a newness, a light that shines in the darkness. Luke in today’s Gospel describes that birth as the beginning of a new era, the dawn of a new day, the time of all the completions. All that was foretold through the ancient prophecies are now about to be accomplished. The time has begun. In the second reading, St. Paul in the Acts emphasizes this identity of John as the one who came to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He says, “John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel…”

Filled with such great joy at the birth of the herald of the Lord, we can sing with the Psalmist, “I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.” For, in John, not only him, but each of us happens to be a wonder made by the Lord to be His instrument towards others.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, speaking of John, says: “John the Baptist is ‘more than a prophet.’ In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the ‘voice’ of the Consoler who is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John ‘came to bear witness to the light.’ In John's sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels.” CCC 719. Like John, we should see our lives as having a purpose. God made each of us for something particular. What then are you born for?

Brethren, at six months before Christmas, today’s celebration sounds the need for you and me to start counting down the days and prepare ourselves to welcome the Lord. Today again, John comes to lead our ways in our preparation. His birth teaches us of God’s concern for mankind, mostly in this time of the Chine Virus Pandemic. God has not forsaken our humanity. If he has been gracious with Zechariah and Elizabeth, he still shows that graciousness to you and me today. Therefore, let us rejoice and make a way in our lives to welcome him.