What is the "Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist" about?

Answer 1

It means that yesterday (June 24th) is the John the Baptist equivalent of Christmas. Where Dec. 25 is the Mass that celebrates the birth of Jesus, June 24th is the Mass that celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist, forerunner, the voice in the wilderness crying, "Make a straight path for the Lord to travel!"

In some countries, i.e. French Canada, its actually a pretty big deal. You will have noticed, if you went to church yesterday, that all the readings were about John the Baptist's role and his arrival (the gospel told the story of Zecharias' tongue being freed to affirm St. Elizabeth naming him John)

Answer 2

I've never heard the phrase 'solemnity of the nativity' of John the Baptist . . . but . . . John the Baptist was a very special guy.

I think the Bible makes it clear that he was indeed a special man for a special reason.

He knew Jesus was in the room when he was still a fetus . . . Luke 1:41

He had a job:

John 1: 7-9 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

The Book of Luke tells us his parents (John's) were visited by angels and told stuff and given instruction . . .

These and other things speak to the 'solemnity of the nativity'.

Answer 3

St. John the Baptists conception and birth and that he was going to do what the Israelites were to do and that was crying out in the desert to "Make straight the path of the Lord" which they didn't accomplish that well at all.

Answer 4

The commemoration of the birth,naming and bris(circumcision) of St John the Baptist,the "bridge prophet" between the OT and NT and the forerunner of Jesus ,preparing the Way.

Answer 5

St. John the Baptist is the Lord's immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way. "Prophet of the Most High", John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last. He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother's womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being "the friend of the bridegroom", whom he points out as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". Going before Jesus "in the spirit and power of Elijah", John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom.