Study Desk

You will conceive in your womb and bear a son; and you are to call His name JESUS.

He will be great and He will be called `Son of the Most High.' And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David;

and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end."

Because He has not turned from His maidservant in her lowly position; For from this time forward all generations will account me happy,

Because the mighty One has done great things for me--Holy is His name!--

And His compassion is, generation after generation, Upon those who fear Him.

He has manifested His supreme strength. He has scattered those who were haughty in the thoughts of their hearts.

His servant Israel He has helped, Remembering His compassion--

In fulfillment of His promises to our forefathers--For Abraham and his posterity for ever."

And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and were going to call him Zechariah, after his father.

His mother, however, said, "No, he is to be called John."

They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called.

So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered.

Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God.

And Zechariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in a rapture of praise.

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel," he said, "Because He has not forgotten His people but has effected redemption for them,

And has raised up a mighty Deliverer for us In the house of David His servant--

As He has spoken from all time by the lips of His holy Prophets--

He dealt pitifully with our forefathers, And remembered His holy covenant,

To give to His People a knowledge of salvation In the forgiveness of their sins,