St. Luke 1: 57 – 66

December 23, 2022

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

“What manner of child shall this be!” This reads like a question but notice – it’s an exclamation, a hint that those around Zacharias, Elizabeth, and baby John expected something special from this child. They could not, of course, know just how special John would be or that his name would be remembered and honored two millennia after his birth. They had no way of knowing his part in the greatest story ever told. Who amongst them could have foreseen it?

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