Luke 1:5-17
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah,
who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of
Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before
God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations
of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and
both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on
duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to
enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the
incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.
Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right
side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified;
and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid,
Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear
you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of
the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth
he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people
of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he
will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord."
