1.
The Archangel Gabriel Announces The Birth Of John The Baptist To
His Father Zacharias
(Location: Jerusalem)
LUKE
1:
5 In
the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zacharias, who
belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also
a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in
the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations
blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because
Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years. 8 Once
when Zacharias’ division was on duty and he was serving as priest
before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the
custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn
incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of
incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then
an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the
altar of incense. 12 When Zacharias saw him, he was
startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel
said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zacharias; your prayer has been
heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him
the name John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to
you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for
he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or
other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even
from birth. 16 Many of the people of Israel will he
bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go
on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the
hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the
wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the
Lord." 18 Zacharias asked the angel, "How
can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in
years." 19 The angel answered, "I am
Gabriel who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak
to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you
will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because
you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper
time." 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for
Zacharias and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When
he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a
vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained
unable to speak. 23 When his time of service was
completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife
Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 "The
Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days He has
shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."
= The Words of Jesus
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