Thursday December 28
Luke 1:5-25 Birth of John the Baptist
foretold
In the days of King Herod of
Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order
of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both
of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the
commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because
Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as
priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according
to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer
incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the
people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord,
standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he
was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be
afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will
bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and
many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be
filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the
Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to
turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said
to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my
wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good
news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in
their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things
occur.’
Meanwhile, the people were
waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did
come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a
vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to
speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After those days his wife
Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said,
‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took
away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’
****
When I read this Bible verse I think
of how every new baby is both a blessing and a miracle. Miracles happen every
day and we need to remember that all miracles are possible if we have faith in
the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, Thank you for this precious
blessing. There is no greater gift then a newborn, sent straight from you.
Thank you Lord, for this new life. We praise and thank you for your perfect
creation. Amen.
Jeanette
Baldanza
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