2023 Christmas Ornament St. John the Baptist

On the front of the ornament depicts St. John the Baptist pointing to someone in the background -“One greater than I will come” John is the Precursor of Christ. This stained-glass window is to the left behind the altar.

The back of the ornament shows portion of Tintinnabulum – A Minor Basilica has three special symbols which Identify it: The Papal Keys and Tiara over the door of the Church; the Ombrellino in the colors of red and gold which was used to shade and protect the Pope during processions; and the Tintinnabulum. It is a bell mounted on a pole and decorated with carved, gilded wood or metal. It would be carried in the Papal Processions of the Middle Ages to announce to the people that the Pope was approaching. In the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, the Tintinnabulum also contains a small painting of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. And on the opposite side there is the inscription, “Ecce Agnus Dei,” Behold the Lamb of God. Inside the box is a card with the above information.