The Birth of John Luke 1:57-66

Today's Reflections 

December 23, 2011

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24
Ps 25
 

The Birth of John 

Luke 1:57-66

⁵⁷When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, ⁶⁰but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” ⁶¹But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” ⁶²So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. ⁶³He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. ⁶⁴Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. ⁶⁵Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

Reflection:

Neighbors and relatives. Funny neighbors and relatives Zechariah and Elizabeth have. When they hear of the birth of the child, they rejoice. When they are not sure about what fate will befall the child, fear comes upon them. When they expect the child to be named after his father, they are all excited. But when he is given a different name, they begin to think and wonder.

Life is funny sometimes. When things are fine, we have friends rejoicing around us. When things are difficult, we can hardly find them. The greatest gift we can get is when friends stay with us through thick and thin and stand by us. 

This is the kind of God we have. God has promised that he will never leave us. He is a God-with-us, always here for us and with us. Zechariah and Elizabeth remain faithful to God even though their prayer has remained unanswered for a long time. God is faithful to them and never leaves them. 

This is how we should be as good neighbors. God is a good neighbor and relative. God has been so since Jesus was born among us.

Have some Christmas gifts, too, for your neighbors’ kids.