Luke- Broken Silence

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Elizabeth. 

I have wanted a baby for the longest time. I am so excited because God has blessed me with pregnancy. Soon the child will come.

During the last three months of my pregnancy, my cousin Mary came to visit. And wonder of wonders, God has blessed her with a baby as well. She was only newly pregnant, but I knew. And she knew. 

My baby leaps and is so active. I can't wait to see him. You may ask how I know the baby will be a boy. Well you're right on one part, we didn't have the tools you have today to tell whether the baby is a boy or girl. What I did have was an angel's word to my husband Zachariah, the priest.

Any way. my baby is soon to be born and Mary said she would stay to help me until I gave birth. Right now I must go to rest.

~~~
I am so sorry to have left you. The baby came and I was a bit distracted. The news went out to our neighbors and relatives. The baby is well and I am fine. Giving birth is not easy, especially at my age.

On the eighth day, we took him to be circumcised. The attendant was going to name the baby Zachariah after the baby's father. A few posts ago we told the story of my husband, Zachariah going into the temple for his duties. An angel appeared to him and told him I would be have a son and that we were to name him John. Hah, there was no way we would go against what an angel of the Lord said. I blurted quickly before the wrong name was said by the priest standing there, "No! He is to be called John."

All those standing around were surprised. "There is no one among your relatives who has hat name."

Tradition was that babies are named after the father or a relative to be honored. Those standing around me didn't believe this was true. My husband, Zachariah, still could not speak. The angel had taken away his ability to talk when Zachariah didn't believe the news the angel told him in the temple. The attendants made some motions with their hands asking Zachariah what the baby's name should be.

Zachariah asked for his writing tablet and wrote: "His name is John." Everyone was surprised, but more astonished when Zachariah spoke his first word since seeing the angel. "The boy's name is to be John." He heard himself speak and laughed. "Praise be to the God of heaven. The Lord God Almighty who has returned my ability to speak."

The neighbors and friends standing there laughed and praised God to. "God has taken Zachariah's speech and returned it. Blessed be the Lord God Almighty," they sang out to God. Then they said to each other, "God must have a very special job for this baby. I wonder what it will be?" 

Well, you probably know how quickly news spreads with the Internet and all. I'm telling you, news spreads even faster when a nation hears what God has done. As for me, I am so very happy holding my son in my arms. He's so cute. Look at his hair. See his tiny toes and fingers?




Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Luke: Cousin News

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Mary. 

An angel named Gabriel brought me a message from God. I still can feel my heart beating from seeing the angel and hearing the news from God. He said I would have a son and his name would be Jesus. 

I must admit, I was startled when the angel appeared. I had never seen one before. Gabriel was kind and patient as he told me the news. 

The angel also told me my cousin was pregnant. I was so excited to hear this news. Poor Elizabeth had wanted a child her whole married life. And now, when she was older God has granted her a son. I had to visit her, hear her news, and tell her mine.

I packed some things and hurried to the hills to the town in Judea, where Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, live. 

I laughed with delight when I saw her. "Look at you! You have a baby growing inside of you. This is wonderful news."

Elizabeth pressed her hands to her belly and made a sound. "The baby jumped."

"Really? Let me feel your belly." I set my hands on her stomach. It moved with the baby. "This is amazing. I feel your baby moving!" What a miracle. What a blessing.

Elizabeth didn't speak for a moment. She closed her eyes and held her hand on her belly. Suddenly she said in such a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will give birth to. Tell me, why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should come visit me?"

Her words surprised me until I realized God had spoken to her and given her those words.

Elizabeth said, "As soon as the sound of your voice reached my ears, the baby inside of me leaped for joy. Blessed are you who have believed what the Lord said will come true."

"It's true. I am having a son, Elizabeth. An angel visited me and told me what would happen. I am to name him Jesus." 

I couldn't help myself, a song came to me and I sang it:

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name.
His mercy goes to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm.
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts..
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever even as he said to our fathers.

When I finished the song, Elizabeth brought me something to drink. We talked and rested and laughed, and sang. God has bless the two of us more than we could have ever dreamed.

I stayed with her for three months then went home.

Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty