Some FUN FACTS about St. John the Baptist:
Only Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist get feasts for their BIRTHdays. A saint's feast day is usually celebrated on the day of his death, or his birth into Heaven.
This is because only those three people have ever been born without original sin. Jesus and Mary were also CONCEIVED without original sin. John the Baptist, however, was conceived as usual, with original sin. But THEN, he was baptized with a baptism of desire before his birth when he recognized Jesus as God in the womb of Mary. And leapt within his mother's womb. So he wasn't conceived without sin, but he was BORN without sin!
Read more here:
St. John the Baptist's birth foreshadowed his philosophy. He was born on June 24th, just days after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. After his birth, each day decreases, becoming shorter and shorter, until . . . you guessed it, December. Jesus was born December 25th, after which each day increases, becoming longer and longer.
Isn't it lovely?
What are you doing tonight to celebrate? We'll have a (little) bonfire, and maybe sparklers to play with.
And since it's a feast, a solemnity in fact, you have to have dessert.
We'll be having s'mores and my Not Yet World Famous St. John the Baptist Cricket,* Almond, and Wild Honey Clusters!
*Crickets optional.
The recipe is number 5 on this post from the archives.
For more on how, and WHY we celebrate the liturgical year in our home check out this post:
For more on how, and WHY we celebrate the liturgical year in our home check out this post: