John the Forerunner

This Sunday we will mark the birth of John the Baptist and celebrate his witness to Christ. While most Protestants and Roman Catholics perhaps best know John as "the Baptist," the Eastern Church designates him as "the Forerunner." Both, I think, give us a glimpse into his ministry of preparation: as "the Baptist," he brings the preaching of repentance as preparation for the coming Messiah, as "the Forerunner," he lays the groundwork and, through his life and words, does the necessary preparation for the world to receive the Dawn from on High.

What struck me today in making my way through the Benedictus in Luke 1:68-80 is that Zechariah, John's father, sings the history of God's salvation. We all can appreciate how those things we learned through song "stick" better than anything else. So, as we prepare to celebrate the Birth of the Forerunner and Baptist, we are simultaneously invited into his song: "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). You choose the tune!