Study Desk

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was,

and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!"

for he has remembered me, his lowly servant! From now on all people will call me happy,

because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me. His name is holy;

He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans.

He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel.

He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!"

When the baby was a week old, they came to circumcise him, and they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father.

But his mother said, "No! His name is to be John."

Then they made signs to his father, asking him what name he would like the boy to have.

Zechariah asked for a writing pad and wrote, "His name is John." How surprised they all were!

"Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to the help of his people and has set them free.

He has provided for us a mighty Savior, a descendant of his servant David.

He promised through his holy prophets long ago

He said he would show mercy to our ancestors and remember his sacred covenant.

"You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him,

to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.

Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God:

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "This child is chosen by God for the destruction and the salvation of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God which many people will speak against