John the Baptist explained to kids

John the Baptist was a Jewish preacher in the first century who was known for baptizing people in the Jordan River. He was also known for his prophecy that Jesus Christ would be the Messiah. John the Baptist was born around 6 BC in the city of Jerusalem. His parents were Elizabeth and Zachariah, who were both from the priestly line of Aaron. When John the Baptist was born, his father Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about John, saying: "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins." John the Baptist grew up in the desert region of Judea and lived a simple life, wearing clothes made of camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey. He preached about repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Many people came to hear him preach and be baptized by him. In around AD 28-29, John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him and proclaimed him as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John the Baptist continued to preach and baptize people until he was arrested by King Herod and put in prison. Herod had John the Baptist killed because John had been critical of Herod's marriage to Herodias, who was Herod's niece. John the Baptist is an important figure in Christianity, and his feast day is celebrated on June 24th.