The Births of Jesus and John the Baptist in the Gospel of Luke

And I offer my humble assistance in finding a good Christmas service.

On the 3rd Sunday in Advent, just observed, the traditional church emphasizes John the Baptist and his ministry. The whole church would do well to revive that focus as we are in especial need of his message of repentance today after long years of much of the church being unfaithful and even a willing pusher of the poison of Critical Theory.

But, of course, most Christians at this time are thinking more about Christmas, about the birth of Christ and the surrounding celebration, which is certainly understandable. Even this liturgical nitpicker does not begrudge that.

This time of the church year, one can hardly do better than read the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke. Luke takes his time going through a lot of details about the nativities of Jesus and John the Baptist. Yes, the birth of John the Baptist is a neglected subject, but St. Luke sure did not neglect it.

There is an interesting pattern in Luke. The angel Gabriel announces the coming miraculous birth of John the Baptist to his father Zacharias, who doubts due to advanced age and is therefore made mute until John’s birth. Then sure enough his old wife Elizabeth becomes pregnant. Then Gabriel announces the miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary, who, though a virgin, believes.

Mary goes to visit Elizabeth. When Mary greets her, John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth joyously recognizes Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” Here is an icon I have of that happy moment from Legacy Icons.

Mary then says what became an important canticle, the Magnificat. Later, when John the Baptist is born and about to be named, Zacharias’ tongue is loosed and pours forth another important canticle, the Benedictus.

Then, of course, chapter two has those narratives of the birth of Jesus that are so familiar and beloved to those who celebrate Christmas. Please read the wonderful first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke as this post is just a barebones summary.

So both births are miraculous; both are announced beforehand to a parent by Gabriel; both nativities get a canticle prominent in traditional Christian worship. Both, not only the birth of Jesus but the birth of John the Baptist also.

And Luke pays much attention to both. We would do well to do likewise at this time instead of practically ignoring John the Baptist in the rush to get to Christmas as most do.

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Over the weekend, I did a podcast giving some tips on going to church and finding a suitable Christmas service….

I thought I might write some follow up posts, and I still might. But I now also offer you more personal assistance.

I am more familiar with various Anglican churches than most, at least in America and especially in Texas. Traditional Anglicans have a well-earned reputation for celebrating Christmas well. So if you are at a loss as to where to go to church around Christmas, let me know the general location where you will be, and I will see what I can find. Whether you will have small children with you or not might be good to know as well.

Most Christmas services are on Christmas Eve and the days before. And I may be busy on Christmas Eve anyway. So ask for assistance as soon as possible.

I hope you have a blessed remainder of Advent and a Happy Christmas. And if I can help with that, so much the better.