Now Elizabeth’s time had come to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and cousins heard how the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they were calling him Zechariah, after the name of his father. But his mother answered, “Not so! He shall be called John.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father, asking what he would have him called. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke and praised God. Fear came on all who lived around them. And all these facts were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All those who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will he be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. Luke 1:57-66 Modern English Version (MEV)
“His name is John.” Parents in agreement together with the angel’s declaration. And the father, who now can speak, praises God, sparking strong emotions: surprise, fear, wonder. And marvel at the baby, because from the get-go, the hand of the Lord is upon him. He was born for a purpose; so is each one of us.
Note; Luke’s gospel was probably written in approximately AD 85, long after these events. Yet folks still remembered. God’s hand was on that, too.
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Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
