John - the prophet; Jesus -the Saviour

"And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation

    through the forgiveness of their sins,

⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,

    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness

    and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Luke 1:76-79).

These words of prophecy speak of the ministry of John the Baptist - "a prophet of the Most High." He was to "prepare the way for the Lord." "Salvation ... forgiveness ... mercy ... heaven ... peace" - John's ministry gave a taste of all that Jesus, the Saviour, would bring to us. We give thanks to God for Jesus the Saviour - and we also thank God for John the Baptist.