birhtofjohn

Birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:5-64
Words highlighted in yellow have definitions at the end of the story.

     There was a priest named Zechariah who lived during the time of Herod king of Judea. His wife was Elizabeth who was a descendant of Aaron just like Zechariah was. They observed all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly and were upright in the sight of God. They were righteous. Elizabeth was barren so they didn't have any children. Zechariah and Elizabeth were both getting old.
    Zechariah was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go on duty as priest before God. He went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.   As he was burning incense, all the worshipers were praying outside. Then at the right side of the altar of incense an angel appeared to him. Zechariah was startled and was afraid.   The angel told him to not be afraid because his prayer had been heard. The angel told him that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, and he was to name him John.   He was also told that many would rejoice because of his birth. He was to never take wine or other fermented drink. He would also be filled with the Holy Spirit at birth. He would bring God's people back to the Lord their lGod. He would make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
    Because Zechariah and his wife were old, he asked the angel how could he be sure of this? The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.   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."
    The people were wondering why Zechariah was taking so long in the temple.   stayed so long in the When Zechariah came out, he could not speak. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them and couldn't speak. Then he returned home.
    After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She stayed out of sight for five months. Elizabeth realized that the Lord had done this for her and shown favor toward her. ,

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin who had promised to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary.
The angel went to Mary and told her that she was highly favored and that the Lord was with her. It troubled Mary at his words. But the angel told her not to be afraid, for she had found favor with God. He also told her that she wou give birth to a son, and she was name Him Jesus. He would be great and called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God would give him the throne of David, He would reign over the house of Jacob forever and his kingdom would never end.

Mary asked the angel how will this be since she was a virgin. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The one to be born would be called the Son of God. the angel also told her that, Elizabeth, her relative was going to have a child too who had been barren. The angel told her that nothing was impossible with God.
Mary told the angel that she was the Lord's servant and that it may be as the angel said. Then the angel left her.

        Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then went back home. In time, Elizabeth gave virth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had shown her mercy. They shared her joy.
   When it was time to circumcise the child, and they were going to name the baby Zechariah, but Elizabeth spoke up and said he was to be called John.
    They made signs to Zechariah, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet. He wrote His name is John. Everyone was astonished and immediately Zechariah opened his mouth and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.

Altar--------------A structure made of stone for offering a sacrifice to a god.

Barren-----------Unable to have a child.

Bear--------------To give birth to.

Fermented------A chemical change that takes place in wine(or some other drinks) that makes it become a stronger drink with alcohol in it.

Incense----------Something burned that produces a fragrant smell or smoke.

Loosed-----------Has been released or untied.

Lot----------------An object used to decide something by chance.

Mercy------------To show pity for someone.

Reign-------------To rule over people, such as a King does.

righteous---------Being right with God.

Virgin------------An unmarried woman who is pure.

Vision------------A picture seen in a dream or trance of something that will happen or something that God is trying to let us know about. A vision is from God and not just our ordinary dreams or nightmares.