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If you watched late-night TV from 1962 to 1992, you probably heard Ed McMahon introduce Johnny Carson with the words, “Here’s Johnny.” Ed and his introduction, “Here’s Johnny,” became almost as well known as the star himself. However, Ed was not the star of the show: Johnny was.

Something similar happened with John the Baptist and Jesus. John was very popular among the people. Yet, John was not to be the star, Jesus was. John’s mission was to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming: to announce, “Here’s Jesus.”

An interesting parallel exists between the people’s assessment of who John was and their assessment of who Jesus was. In chapter 1 of John’s gospel (a different John), John the Baptist is asked if he is the Christ, Elijah, or the prophet (Moses). John responds that he is none of these people. Rather, he is a voice in the desert preparing the way for the Lord.

In chapter 16 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples answer, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” However, Jesus presses them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

John and Jesus had very different missions. John was merely Jesus’ announcer: Jesus was the star of the show.

John did not just prepare himself for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ. He also prepared others by testifying to Jesus’ coming. In John 1:6-8, the words “testify” or “testimony” are used no less than three times: “A man named John was sent by God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.”

Like John the Baptist, Christians share in the mission of testifying to the coming of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah (“Christ” is Greek for the Hebrew word “Messiah”: both words mean “anointed one”). We are voices crying out in a world in need of a savior, “Prepare the way for the Lord.” In a world where suffering, injustice, sin, and death exist, we proclaim: “Prepare to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus’ first coming! Prepare for his coming in our lives today! Prepare for his coming in glory!”

As we celebrate this holiday season, we give testimony to the coming of Christ in our lives and in our world. Like John the Baptist, we may be called upon to testify that Jesus is the star of the show, announcing “Here’s Jesus.”

Rev. Steven Werner

Holy Rosary Catholic Parish—Pomeroy

St. Joseph Catholic Parish—Dayton

St. Mark Catholic Parish—Waitsburg