We invited our Children’s Liturgy participants to draw pictures of John the Baptist to help illustrate who he is. John was Jesus’ older cousin. John’s father was a priest and his mother was St. Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel came to tell her that she would have a son that would turn people back to God and prepare the way for Jesus. Elizabeth and Zechariah were not able to have children so this announcement shows that with God nothing is impossible. 

A few months later, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would be having the son of God – Jesus. Mary agreed and soon after went to visit Elizabeth. It was a long journey but Mary was joyful on the way because she had the baby Jesus in her womb. When Elizabeth heard her cousin’s greeting, John inside her moved and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:44 reads, ‘For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness.’ We could say that John’s purpose was sanctified at that moment. He was born before Jesus to get others ready for him. John lived very simply and prayed every day. He lived up in the wilderness, ate bugs and honey and wore animals furs. He preached that the people would be saved and told them to be sorry for their sins and be baptized. He proclaimed, “The man who will come after me is much greater than me.” “I baptize you with water but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8) St. John the Baptist prepared people for Jesus and here, in our church we can do the same! We can talk to our friends and family about Jesus and God, we can show love to others and share how happy we are to belong to a faith family. We thank the children here at St. John’s for their wonderful work! If you would like an activity sheet for your child, click here.