The Forgotten Summer Christmas - The Nativity of John the Baptist
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On June 24, the Church celebrates one of its most fascinating and often overlooked feast days: the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
Also known as the Summer Christmas, Nativity of the Forerunner, or Johnmas (I love that one!), the Nativity of John the Baptist is the special day that we celebrate the birth of the man chosen to prepare the way for Christ.
Most Christians are familiar with John the Baptist as the fiery preacher in the wilderness who called people to repentance and baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Yet long before his public ministry began, his birth was already a sign that God’s plan of redemption was unfolding.
The story is told in the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel.
John’s parents, Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and Elizabeth, were old and without children. While Zechariah was in the temple offering incense, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that he and Elizabeth were to have a son and that they were to name him “John.” Zechariah, initially filled with disbelief, was struck mute until the day of John’s birth. Meanwhile, his wife Elizabeth, previously barren, conceived and rejoiced in God’s favor.
The focus then shifted to Mary, the mother of Jesus, as Gabriel appeared to her with the news of her miraculous conception. Upon learning that her relative Elizabeth was also expecting, Mary visited her. In an awe-inspiring moment, the unborn John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledging the presence of the unborn Savior within Mary.
Later, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. When it was time to name the child, Elizabeth said that his name was John. The neighbors and relatives moved to name him after Zechariah, but Zechariah was given a tablet to write upon and agreed with Elizabeth that his name is to be John. At that moment, Zechariah’s speech was restored, and he began to praise God and prophesy his son’s significant role in preparing the way for the Messiah.
It is a beautiful story, one that reveals how carefully God was preparing the world for the coming of Christ.
The Church has always held John the Baptist in extraordinary honor. In fact, there are only three birthdays celebrated on the Church calendar: the birth of Jesus, the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the birth of John the Baptist.
Jesus Himself said of John:
“Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11)
John stands at the meeting point of the Old and New Covenants. He is the last of the prophets and the one chosen to announce the arrival of the Messiah.
One of the most beautiful aspects of this feast is its placement on the calendar.
When Gabriel announced Christ’s conception to Mary, he told her that Elizabeth was already six months pregnant. For this reason, the Church celebrates John’s birth six months before Christmas.
The feast also falls immediately after the summer solstice, when the days begin to grow shorter. Christians have long seen this as a reflection of John’s own words:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
As the light of the sun slowly begins to diminish, John reminds us to turn our attention toward Christ.
Ways to Celebrate:
Read Luke 1:5–25, 39–45, and 57–80. Read the story of John’s birth together as a family and reflect on his role in preparing the way for Jesus.
Light a St. John’s Fire. Tradition has it that Elizabeth lit a bonfire to announce the birth of her son. All over the world, Christians light “St. John’s Fires” on mountains, hilltops, beaches, and backyards on the eve of his feast. In Ireland, the blessed ashes from St. John’s Fires are sprinkled over the fields to ensure a good harvest.
Eat something made with honey. Since John the Baptist is known to have eaten locusts and wild honey, make something with honey, locusts, or both! We choose honey! See the recipe for an easy-to-make and delicious Honey Cake. Or you could make things even easier by making s’mores using honey graham crackers.
Have a water fight. Since John the Baptist is known for baptizing those who repented, include water in your celebrations. In Mexico and the American Southwest, it’s traditional for Christians to attend morning church and then dip fully clothed in the nearest body of water. They would also playfully throw buckets of water at each other. Throw water balloons, set up a sprinkler, or have a water war with your kids.
The Nativity of John the Baptist may no longer be widely celebrated, but it remains one of the Church’s most meaningful summer feasts. It reminds us that before Christ’s public ministry began, God raised up a prophet to prepare the way.
And perhaps that is John’s enduring lesson for us as well.
His entire life pointed away from himself and toward Christ.
May ours do the same!
the recipe -
Honey Cake
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup honey
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or cake pan.
In a large bowl, beat butter and honey until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in yogurt and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter mixture. Transfer batter to the prepared skillet.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Serve with fruit, and additional honey if desired.
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