Page 354 - Bible History

THE REDEE R AMONG MEN 327
humility of His handmaid; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things in me; and ·holy His name. And H mercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him. He hath showed might in His arm; He hath scat­ tered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath lled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."
Mary stayed with Eizabeth about three months and then she returned to her home in Nazareth.
When Elizabeth's son was born, her ·neighbors and T relatives gathered in her house to congratulate her and =e to praise God, Who had shown His great mercy toward B her. On the eighth day the child was circumcised ac cording to the custom of the Jews, as a sign that he belonged to the religion of his fathers and was entitled
to all its privileges.
It was at this ceremony that the Je sh child• re­ ceived his name, just as Christian children receive their names in Baptism. The relatives wanted him to be called Zachary after his father, but Elizabeth said, ''Not so; but he shall be called J hn.'' ''But,'' they said to her, ''there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." Then they made signs to Zachary, ask­ ing him how the child should be named. Zachary asked for a writing tablet. He wrote on it, ''John is his name.'' No sooner had he written these words than his tongue was loosed and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came upon all those who were present, and soon