Study Desk

"It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord."

And Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age."

The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple.

Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Then the angel replied to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.

"For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible."

"For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

"For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God!

"For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory].

And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son.

And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, "His name is John." And they were all astonished.

All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, "What then will this little boy turn out to be?" For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].

And He has raised up a horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us In the house of David His servant—

"And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD (the Messiah) TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;

And everyone went to register for the census, each to his own city.

While they were there [in Bethlehem], the time came for her to give birth,

and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.