The Nativity of John the Baptist June 24th

June 24th marks the celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Christ said, “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 ESV

The Gospel of Luke contains a detailed account of John’s birth, first from Angel’s announcement to his father, then to Mary visiting Elizabeth and John jumping in his mother’s womb, and finally the account of his birth as he received his name. John spends his life in the wilderness, preparing a way for the coming Savior.

The above painting depicts John’s life in the wilderness. He is seated on a rock and the Agnus Dei – the Lamb of God rests at his feet. __________________________________________________________________________________________

¹Roberts, Carrie. Saint John the Baptist by Francois Boucher, c. 1755. Personal Collection, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Baxter, Minnesota.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

John carries a long staff cross with a white banner. The words Agnus Dei can be seen on the white cloth as it waves in the breeze. This is a traditional symbol of John the Baptist.

The painting of Saint John the Baptist by Francois Boucher is part of the Collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2 Roberts, Carrie. Saint John the Baptist by Francois Boucher, c. 1755. Personal Collection, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Baxter, Minnesota.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Ecce Agnus Dei

John the Baptist has several other symbols that depict him. These include a scroll with the words “Ecce Agnus Dei.”  Or Behold, the Lamb of God!

Another symbol is a shield with a nimbed lamb standing on a book. The lamb bears a Banner of Victory. Saint John points to Christ, the Lamb of God. A shield that shows a camel hair tunic is another less familiar symbol of Saint John the Baptist. A locust and a leather girdle show yet another symbol of the Saint. A gruesome image is that of a head on a silver platter.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3 Roberts, Carrie. John the Baptist Ecce Agnus Dei by F. R. Webber. Personal Collection, Ecclesiastical Sewing, Baxter, Minnesota.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

The Agnus Dei, when standing on a Bible as this one is, depicts John the Baptist. Details to look for include a Lamb with a nimbus. The lamb is standing on a book and bears a Banner of Victory. This lamb points to Christ, the Lamb of God. The details are important so that the symbol does not become confused with the Agnus Dei symbol.

John the Baptist is often viewed as one of the most important persons in the Bible because of the role he played in preparing for the coming Savior. And so we remember him today as we mark the celebration of the Nativity of John the Baptist.

Soli Deo Gloria

Voice in the Wilderness: St. John the Baptist

September 13th–John Chrysostom

St. Philip and St. James and New Apostle Pastor Stole

White and Gold for Easter and Christmas

The Littlest Lamb in The Tale of Two Lambs

The Tale of Two Lambs

Nativity by John D. Sedding

From the Beginning in The Tale of Two Lambs

The Second Lamb in The Tale of Two Lambs