Page 355 - Bible History

328 CHRIST PREPARES TO REDEEM THE WO D
the news spread all over the hill country of Judea. All who heard it, said, "What sort of person, think ye, shall this child be1 For the hand of the Lord is with him.''
Filled with the Holy Ghost, achary prophesied, saymg:
''Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people. And He hath raised up a horn of salvation to us, in the house of David His servant. As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who are from the beginning; Salvation from our enemies, and om the hand of all that hate us. To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember His holy testament. The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice before Him all our days. And thou, child, shalt be
called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation to His people, unto the remission of their sins; through the abundance of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us; to enlighten them that sit in da ness, and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace." This is the canticle Benedictus.
The child of Zachary and Elizabeth grew up strong in body and holy in spirit. When he was still a young boy, he left the home of his parents and went to live in the desert. There he remained for many years until God called_him to come forth and preach to the people.
After Mary had returned to her home in Nazareth,
An angel
ks to
J h Joseph learned that she was to become the mother of
the Savior. An angel appeared to him in his sleep and said, "Joseph, son of David, Mary, thy wife is to be-