Article: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist

Jun 5, 2026

Simple Ways to Celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
June 24

Born c. 1 BC in Judea
Died c. AD 30 in Machaerus, Perea

Patron saint of: baptism, converts, spiritual renewal, and those preparing the way for Christ

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist celebrates the birth of the cousin of Jesus and the prophet chosen by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. John's birth was miraculous. His parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were advanced in age and had no children. An angel appeared to Zechariah and announced that Elizabeth would bear a son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit and help turn hearts back to God. When John was born, his father proclaimed a hymn of praise, recognizing that his son would go before the Lord to prepare His way.

John spent much of his life in the wilderness, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. He is remembered for pointing others to Jesus, declaring, “Behold, the Lamb of God."

The Church celebrates only three earthly birthdays each year: Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist. John's feast falls near the summer solstice, when the daylight begins to decrease, beautifully reflecting his mission of making way for Christ.

In Hebrew, John is Yochanan, which means “God is gracious.”

Here are a few simple ways to celebrate:

Have a Bonfire

All over Europe, people celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist with big bonfires!

The fire symbolizes:

John as a "burning and shining lamp" (John 5:35)
Preparing the way for Christ
Light overcoming darkness

If a bonfire is too much, you could even just light some candles at dinner!

Play with Water

John baptized people with water. Celebrate by swimming or playing in sprinklers. Traditionally people would have water fights in the streets.

Renew your Baptismal Promises

Take a moment to reflect and renew your baptismal promises.

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Make food with honey

John the Baptist lived on a diet of locusts and wild honey. Make some things with honey today.

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Peach Salad

Salted Honey Cinnamon Cookies

Sea Salt, Olive Oil & Honey Ice Cream

or a tried and true in our house: honey and peanut butter sandwiches

Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith Throughout the Year by Erica Campbell

Ave Maria Press

Living the Seasons

$36.95

(0.0)

Winner of a 2025 CMA Book Award from the Catholic Media Association: Lifestyle Books (First Place).

Erica Tighe Campbell, owner and designer of Be A Heart, created this stunning, full-color guide to creatively celebrating the faith throughout the year. Living the Seasons is brimming with clever, doable, and beautiful crafts and activities; vivid photographs; brief introductions to the seasons and the lives of the saints; heartfelt notes of encouragement from Campbell; and original Be A Heart illustrations. This gorgeous companion will become your favorite resource for living your faith at home for years to come.

In Living the Seasons, Campbell offers imaginative ideas, effortless directions, and gorgeous photos of crafts, activities, meals, and snacks for a diverse variety of Catholic feast days, holy days, and seasons in the Church. She uses supplies that can easily be found at your local craft stores, party shops, or online retailers.

You’ll find ways to celebrate all of the Church seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum, Easter, Ordinary Time—and Holy Days of Obligation in the United States, and feast days for saints from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. And you’ll discover fun ideas and new traditions such as:

throwing a baby shower for Mary;
blessing your home in the New Year;
celebrating Fat Tuesday with King Cake and a piñata;
living like St. Joseph by spending time in silence and making a wooden baby rattle;
constructing your own gratitude journal and rosary;
making art for God, including a salt-dough Trinity wall hanging, an Assumption cloud pillow, and an orange garland for St. Nicholas Day;
creating edible flower lollipops to remind us of the “Garden of Mary’s womb”; and
baking “Cookies of Joy” in honor of St. Hildegard of Bingen.

Campbell will help you discover that the liturgical calendar, which follows the seasons of a year in the life of the Church, is a tool that can draw you—individually, as a family, or as a community—closer to God in the midst of a fast-paced and ever-changing world. Along the way, the saints we celebrate teach us that the path to holiness is worthy of pursuing in our own unique way. Their lives can inspire you to listen to how God calls you to follow him as well.

This book is designed to inspire you to celebrate the feast days that speak to you personally. You don’t have to start living liturgically on the first Sunday of Advent—you can begin your journey anytime during the year. You also don’t have to celebrate every feast on a grand scale.

There are projects for all ages and levels of skill—from simple ways to honor a saint’s feast day with your kids to more elaborate celebrations with family and friends.

Find all of the project templates referenced in the book on the Be a Heart website.

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