Luke 1:24-25, 57-68, 76, 80 (Matins Gospel)
- 24
- Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,
- 25
- “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
- 57
- Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.
- 58
- When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
- 59
- So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.
- 60
- His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
- 61
- But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”
- 62
- So they made signs to his father – what he would have him called.
- 63
- And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.
- 64
- Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
- 65
- Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.
- 66
- And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
- 67
- Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
- 68
- “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,
- 76
- and you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.”
- 80
- So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.