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a continuation of My Blog About The Bible |
| Many have attempted to write an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who were eyewitnesses and of the Word. Therefore, since i have thoroughly investigated everything from the start it seemed good for me to write an accurate accounting for you Theophilus so that you may know the certainty of the thing you have been told. The Birth of John The Baptist In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged the priestly division of Abijah his wife Elizabeth was also descended from Arron both of them were upright in the sight of the Lord, observing all of God's laws and commandments blameless. however, they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both fairly advanced in age. Once when Zechariah on duty as priest he was selected as was the custom, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense and when the time for the burning of the incense came all of the worshipers were praying outside Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him standing on the right side of the incense when Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. but the angel said to him do not be afraid Zechariah your prayers have been heard your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to name him John and he will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is to never take wine or any other fermented drink. and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. he will bring many of the people of Israel and he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elisha to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous to make people ready to receive the Lord Zechariah asked the angel How can i be sure of what you are telling me I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years the angel i am Gabriel i stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to tell you this good news, and now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words which will come true at the proper time. Meanwhile the people were waiting and wondering why Zechariah was taking so long in the Temple when he finally came out, he could not speak to them, they realized he had seen something in the temple, for he made signs to them but was unable to speak. when his time of service was done, he went home. after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for 5 months was in seclusion. she said the lord has done this for me, these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace. The Birth of Jesus Foretold In the sixth month God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth a town in Galilee to a virgin named Mary who was pledged to marry a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Gabriel went to her and said Greetings you who are highly favored, God is with you. Mary was disturbed by these words and wondered what sort of way that was to greet someone. but the angel said to her Mary do not be afraid you have found favor with the Lord; you will be with child, and you will have a son he will be named Jesus. he will be great, and he will be called the son of the highest. the Lord God will give him the throne of David. and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever. Mary asked How can this be I am a virgin. Gabriel replied that The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the highest will overshadow you so the holy one to be born, will be called the son of God. even your relative Elizabeth is going to have a child and who was said to be barren and is currently in her sixth month for with God everything is possible. Mary replied I am God's servant may it be as you say with that Gabriel left. Mary Visits Elizabth At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, Where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When she heard Mary's greeting the baby in her womb leapt and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she said "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting the baby in my womb leapt for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. Mary's Song My soul glorifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, From generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arms, He has scattered those whose thoughts are proud. He has brought rulers down from their thrones He has uplifted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things But sent the rich away empty. He has help his servant Israel remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning home. The Birth of John The Baptist When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that Lord had shown her great mercy and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise him and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth spoke up and said, No! He is to be named John. They said to her There is no one among young your relatives named John. Then they made signs to Zechariah to find out what name he would choose for the child. He gestured for a writing tablet and to everyones astonishment he wrote. The child is to be named John. Immediately his mouth opened and his tongue was loosed. And he began to praise God. Everyone present was filled with awe,and throughout the hill country people were talking about everything that had happened. Everyone who heard this wondered Who then is this child going to be, for the Lord's hand is with him. Zechariah's Song Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Praise be to the Lord, God of Israel, because he has come and redeemed his people.He has raised up a horn of salvation for us. In the house of his servant David as he said through his holy prophets long ago Salvation from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us. To show mercy to our fathers And to remember his holy covenant, The oath he swore to our father Abraham, To rescue us from the hand of our enemies, And to enable us to serve him without fear In holiness and righteousness before him all our days And you my child will be called a prophet of most high For you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him. To give his people the knowledge of salvation. Through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of the tender mercies of our God By which the rising sun will come to us from heaven To shine on those living in darkness and those in the shadow of death. To guide our feet onto the path of peace. And the child grew and became strong in the spirit, and he lived in the desert and appeared publicly to Israel. |
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