THE SET UP
“What will this child turn out to be?” That’s a question that many of us have asked as new parents or grandparents. As you stare down at the beautiful new life, it seems impossible to imagine them as a third grader, let alone a grown woman or man. It’s even harder to imagine who they will become - an electrician? A physician? A programmer? A teacher? It would be great if every new child came with an instruction manual that would give us all the answers. In our reading today, we learn about the birth of John the Baptist. People were sure there was something different, something special about this little guy, but what? Zechariah, John’s father knew. After not being able to speak for nine months, his first words are a prophecy. His son would be the one to introduce Jesus to the world as their hope and the Messiah (which means “the anointed one,” or, “the chosen one”). Zechariah knew the prayers of God’s people were going to be answered. And he knew that his son was going to reveal that to the world.
PASSAGE TO READ
Luke 1:57-80 (Page 614 in our house bibles)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
When you were growing up, what did you want to become, or think you would become one day?
How do you think Zechariah and Elizabeth felt raising a son who had such a special purpose for his life? How would you have felt?
John’s story reminds us that God can and will use everyone, even two people “too old to become first-time parents.” How does that make you feel?