In the lead-up to Christmas, the liturgy reminds us repeatedly of the important role of St John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus in preparing the people to receive him. In this meditation we consider:

• The similarities between the annunciations by the archangel Gabriel to Zechariah and Mary  of the birth of a child
• The importance of John’s role as the last and greatest prophet to announce the way of the Lord
• John’s virtues of detachment from comforts and humility that make him so efficacious in carrying out his role
• John’s efficacy in announcing Christ to two of his own disciples: John the Evangelist and Andrew
• Our own mission of making Christ known to the people of our day