The feast of St. John the Baptist is significant on the calendar. In the secular context, it is associated with San Juan in Puerto Rico, with St. John's in Newfoundland, and with the holiday of Quebec Province. On the church calendar, the feast is six months before Christmas Eve, a deliberate arrangement that points to the coming of Christ. The Gospel from St. Luke 1 recounts the birth of the prophet, the naming of John, and his father Zacharias' hymn, the Benedictus.
The meaning of the day's Gospel is nicely summarized in Cranmer's 1549 collect. John was sent to prepare the way for the Savior by preaching repentance. John is also an example of speaking the truth, rebuking sin, and holy suffering. So, on this day, we recall a saintly biblical example. Yet, there is more to this commemoration. John points beyond himself to Christ. This celebration of John's life and ministry also looks ahead to Christmas and reminds us of Christ's Incarnation for our salvation.
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