Today we celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist, and the Gospel tells of his birth and naming.

After years of longing, Elizabeth and Zechariah received God’s gift: a son, John. 

Earlier in Luke’s Gospel, an angel told Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear a son despite her age. Struggling to believe, Zechariah questioned the angel and was struck mute until the child was born. 

On the eighth day, family and friends gathered for the child’s circumcision and expected him to be named after his father. Instead, Elizabeth said he would be called John, astonishing everyone because no one in the family had that name.

When asked, Zechariah wrote, “His name is John.”

Immediately he could speak again and praised God.

The people wondered what this child would become, believing God’s hand was upon him.

Have we ever been surprised by God’s work in our lives?  Maybe we can recall a time when we  received an unexpected gift from God, and consider how  we  responded. Let us ever be alert to the generosity of God.  May we  keep our minds and hearts open, and remember to praise and thank Him for He is with us at all times. 

"Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. "  James 1:17