SOLEMNITY: JUNE 24
John was Jesus’ cousin and his birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel six months prior to Mary’s Annunciation. Thus we celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist (who Jesus called the greatest born of women) six months prior to Christmas.
In addition, John’s birth is celebrated around the summer solstice (the longest day of the year in terms of sunlight). After this day, the daylight get shorter until the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year in terms of sunlight) when we celebrate Jesus’ birth. This is to symbolize what John says about Jesus, “He must increase while I must decrease.” John 3:30
