The Birth of John the Baptist
When Elizabeth‘s son was born, her neighbours and relatives heard how kind the Lord had been to her, and they too were glad.
Eight days later they did for the child what the Law of Moses commands. They were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John.” The people argued, “No one in your family has ever been named John.” So they motioned to Zechariah to find out what he wanted to name his son.
Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. Right away, Zechariah started speaking and praising God.
All the neighbours were frightened because of what had happened, and everywhere in the hill country people kept talking about these things. Everyone who heard about this wondered what this child would grow up to be. They knew that the Lord was with him.
Zechariah Praises the Lord
The Holy Spirit came upon Zechariah, and he began to speak:
Praise the Lord,
the God of Israel!
He has come
to save his people.
Our God has given us
a mighty Saviour from the family
of David his servant.
Long ago the Lord promised
by the words
of his holy prophets
to save us from our enemies
and from everyone
who hates us.
God said he would be kind
to our people
and keep
his sacred promise.
He told our ancestor Abraham
that he would rescue us
from our enemies.
Then we could serve him
without fear,
by being holy and good
as long as we live.
You, my son, will be called
a prophet of God
in heaven above.
You will go ahead of the Lord
to get everything ready
for him.
You will tell his people
that they can be saved
when their sins
are forgiven.
God’s love and kindness
will shine upon us
like the sun that rises
in the sky. On us who live
in the dark shadow
of death
this light will shine
to guide us
into a life of peace.
As John grew up, God’s Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel.
And so it begins. The forerunner is here – the one who has come to tell of all that will happen, the one who has come to show others the way, to open the world to the possibilities of God.
The world was lost, hurting, desolate, going the wrong way – God is about to do something about it. Salvation is here.
God keeps his promise – he’s coming to rescue us.
Sins can be forgiven, wrongs can be righted, love and kindness and peace will have their place. On those who live in the dark, the dawn is coming.
That is all here for us today. DO you want to have a part of it?
Reach out to God and receive all he has to offer.
Just a note to say, although I think we should save Christmas for Christmas and not jump too soon, I’ve covered the birth story at this point to get all the readings in before Christmas, to be able to reflect on the whole story during Advent – and I think the impetus is lost once Christmas Day is here. Right or wrong? – Let me know…
