John the Baptist has two commemorations. The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, his ‘birthday,’ is six months before Jesus’ ‘birthday,’ December 25. Saints are usually remembered on their ‘birthday to life eternal.’ The Christian Church also observes the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist on August 29.
Dear Lord God,
we thank and praise you for giving us the blessed John the Baptist
and for his joyful preaching and blessed pointing
to Christ the Lamb of God,
that we may know where to find salvation and eternal life
so that we may have comfort
and redemption against sin and death
and that God’s goodness and grace may comfort us forever.
God grant this to us all. Amen.
Martin Luther, Die Gebete Luthers, #677
A Collection of Prayers 