Today, June 23, is the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist.
Today’s celebration dates from the fourth century and is one of only three birthdays celebrated on the Church calendar, the other two being the Birth of Jesus on December 25 and the Birth of Mary on September 8.
In some European cultures, the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist is often combined with earlier pre-Christian customs such as building bonfires and other customs associated with the Summer Solstice. In Christian tradition, this connection has often been associated with John the Baptist’s declaration that Jesus “must increase, while I decrease.” And so, at the time of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, days begin to grow shorter—to decrease—while at Christmas, when we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world, the days begin to grow longer—to increase.