Nothing is impossible with God

2018년 6월 23일

Mary was a virgin; Elizabeth was barren. Both women became pregnant. What seems impossible for humans is possible for God. John the Baptist’s birthday is only one of three celebrated by the Catholic Church. Not coincidentally, his birthday falls very close to the summer solstice. Ever wonder why?

For the first two hundred years, the early church concentrated on the resurrection of Jesus. As time passed (and Jesus did not return) more interest arose as to the date of Jesus’ birth. A monk (erroneously, it turns out) selected the year —in what is now 4 B.C., but for the day, he chose the winter solstice which back then was (you guessed it!) December 25. It was also a pagan Roman feast of Saturnalia, celebrating the longest night of the year (at least in the northern hemishpere) and eventual return of daylight.

As John is six months older than Jesus, it was logical to place his birth on June 24, which was then the longest daylight of the year. As days shorten from that point on, it evoked the prophecy of John, “He must increase; I must decrease.” (Get it?) We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist as the one who prepares the way of the Lord. May he help us overcome our pride and ego, and fill us with expectation. His birth was also unexpected, if not miraculous, reminding us there is nothing impossible with God. (And there are only six months till Christmas. Sorry!)

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