Advent: 17 Days to Go
In this installment of our Christmas adventure, God’s witness to the ‘Light” is born and gets a name...
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.
--Luke 1:57-66 KJV Bible
It's not certain, but Zacharias and Elizabeth may have been very selective about who knew of Elizabeth's baby until the actual birth. Or perhaps they had doubted like Zacharias. In any case, once the baby was born, there could be not doubt of the miracle.
On the eighth day, as was the Jewish custom, the baby boy was brought to be circumcised and formally given his name. Those presiding expected that the baby would be named after his father, but Elizabeth corrected them. Needing further confirmation, they went to the father, who had not been able to speak for over nine months. Once Zacharias understood their question, he wrote down for them what the boy’s name should be. In Hebrew, it is “Yochanan” or “Johanan,” after the longer “Jehohanan.” It is a combining of “YHVH” (Yahweh or Jehovah) and “chanan” (gracious). The name means “the LORD has been gracious.” The name certainly applied to God’s blessing upon Elizabeth and Zacharias, and to purpose for which the boy was born. In English, the name is pronounced John.
Once Zacharias named the baby as God had instructed, Zacharias was again able to speak. He wasted no time in praising God for the miracle foretold by God which Zacharias had witnessed first hand. And as quiet as he had been for the last nine months, Zacharias as now anything but quiet. He told of the miraculous birth to anyone who cared to listen and he openly praised God for his mighty work. Many were gripped with a reverential fear and awe of God. They wondered how God would work through the life of this young boy.
Next time, Zacharias gives prophecy about God’s plan...
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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.
--Luke 1:57-66 KJV Bible
It's not certain, but Zacharias and Elizabeth may have been very selective about who knew of Elizabeth's baby until the actual birth. Or perhaps they had doubted like Zacharias. In any case, once the baby was born, there could be not doubt of the miracle.
On the eighth day, as was the Jewish custom, the baby boy was brought to be circumcised and formally given his name. Those presiding expected that the baby would be named after his father, but Elizabeth corrected them. Needing further confirmation, they went to the father, who had not been able to speak for over nine months. Once Zacharias understood their question, he wrote down for them what the boy’s name should be. In Hebrew, it is “Yochanan” or “Johanan,” after the longer “Jehohanan.” It is a combining of “YHVH” (Yahweh or Jehovah) and “chanan” (gracious). The name means “the LORD has been gracious.” The name certainly applied to God’s blessing upon Elizabeth and Zacharias, and to purpose for which the boy was born. In English, the name is pronounced John.
Once Zacharias named the baby as God had instructed, Zacharias was again able to speak. He wasted no time in praising God for the miracle foretold by God which Zacharias had witnessed first hand. And as quiet as he had been for the last nine months, Zacharias as now anything but quiet. He told of the miraculous birth to anyone who cared to listen and he openly praised God for his mighty work. Many were gripped with a reverential fear and awe of God. They wondered how God would work through the life of this young boy.
Next time, Zacharias gives prophecy about God’s plan...
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