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Zacharias, Elizabeth and baby John

Elizabeth will have a son. Zacharias is left speechless.
Contributed by Sue Bentley
Story also available on our translated websites: Portuguese, German, Hindi
1
Zacharias (also called Zachariah) was a priest in the temple and he lived with his wife Elizabeth. They loved God very much and always tried to do what was right. They did not have any children and because they were now old they did not think they could have a family. – Slide 1
2
One day, it was Zacharias’ turn to burn incense in the temple and while he was there an angel appeared to him. He said that God had heard their prayers and Elizabeth was going to have a baby. Zacharias found this hard to believe and so the angel said, ‘You will not be able to speak until the baby is born.’ – Slide 2
3
The people waiting outside the temple were wondering why Zacharias took so long to burn the incense. When he stood before them, he was unable to speak, just as the angel had said. The crowd realised he must have seen a vision in the temple. – Slide 3
4
After the angel spoke to Zacharias, God kept His promise to Elizabeth and she became pregnant. Both of them were so happy and gave God the praise. – Slide 4
5
It was whilst Elizabeth was pregnant that an angel came to visit her cousin Mary. The angel told Mary she was going to have a special baby and He would be God’s Son. She was to call His name Jesus. The angel also told Mary that Elizabeth was also expecting a baby. – Slide 5
6
Soon after this Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who lived in the hill country in a city of Judah. – Slide 6
7
When Mary greeted her cousin the baby inside Elizabeth jumped. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and said, ‘You are blessed Mary and so is the baby you are carrying. You are blessed because you believed the promise God spoke to you.’ – Slide 7
8
Then Mary began to thank and praise God. – Slide 8
9
When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born she gave birth to a little baby boy. All her family and friends were very happy and gave thanks with Elizabeth and Zacharias for all that God had done for them. – Slide 9
10
When the baby was eight days old Elizabeth and Zacharias took him to the temple. As part of the ceremony the new baby would be given a name. – Slide 10
11
Everyone thought he would be named Zacharias after his father, but Elizabeth said his name was to be John. All the family and friends were very surprised. – Slide 11
12
They spoke to Zacharias and asked him to write down what the baby should be called. Zacharias wrote the name John on a tablet for them to see. It was the name that the angel had told Zacharias to give his son. As soon as he did this Zacharias was able to speak again. – Slide 12
13
Then Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God. He uttered wonderful things that his son would do to serve God. – Slide 13
14
Baby John grew up into a man and who loved and obeyed God and prepared people for the arrival of God’s Son Jesus. – Slide 14
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Slide 15