Acts 13:23-25 – To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, ‘I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.’

Hymn
Hail, O thou of woman born,
Highest rank attaining,
Saint of whom an Angel spoke,
‘John’ thy name ordaining:
Hallowed from thy mother’s womb,
Lamp divinely lighted
To enlighten them that sit
In death’s shade benighted.
Hail to thee, with herald voice
God in flesh revering,
With thy finger pointing out
Christ, the Lamb, appearing:
At the Jordan thou didst cry,
Sinner’s doom declaring,
And, by water’s cleansing sign,
Way for God preparing.
Hail, who, over mortals all,
Rightly wast appointed
To baptize the sacred head
Of the Lord’s Anointed:
Who didst hear the Father’s voice,
That blest rite attending,
And didst see the Holy Ghost,
As a dove descending.