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"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:14).

Many commercials are a burden to watch and of course some are offensive. But in the course of watching some football I have actually enjoyed an AT&T commercial.

A new father is in the hospital room along with his wife and new baby. His parents are also in the room. As they all look at the baby the new father shocks his parents with the news, "Wait till you see the other two surprises, a joyful bundle of three". His parents seem to take that to mean his son and wife had triplets. Then the father says, "I was thinking of gifting one to each of you" which really shocks his parents. But he is actually talking about a bundle of 3 Apple products! (Link to video of the 30 second commercial is below).

"Little bundle of joy" is an affectionate term used for babies. Brooksyne and I are far, far past that stage of life and we will never again be referred to as a "little bundle of joy"! Now we are just big bundles!

Today's text speaks of a bundle of joy, "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord". By itself since it's Christmas season you likely assume this is a Scripture reference about the infant Jesus such as the manger scene in our opening graphic.

Several years ago our local community paper, the "Merchandiser" used the front page for a witness and printed today's text along with the sketching of the nativity scene just above their greeting: "Merry Christmas". In fact a search of graphics on this verse reveals that most of them treat it as a reference to Jesus!

However the verse actually isn't referring to Jesus but to John! (Check the context in Luke 1:5-25.) Zechariah and Elizabeth had no children of their own. As we studied in yesterday's message the Bible informs us that, "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old" (Luke 1:6,7).

But in due time (some would say "overdue time"), God had extraordinary plans for them and, like Abraham and Sarah, they became parents long after Elizabeth's normal child bearing age had passed. Today's text was an angelic assurance to Zechariah from Gabriel about John.

"He will be a joy and delight to you". Zechariah received this promise that John would be a joy and delight and surely he was! But it's likely that Elizabeth had some help from a younger relative or house maiden during John's terrible two's stage. Any of you who are grandparents know what a delight your grandchild(ren) are, but also how quickly they can weary or even exhaust you.

"And many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord". Indeed at the time of John's birth he created quite a stir. Luke 1:65,66 tells us "All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, 'What then is this child going to be?' For the Lord’s hand was with him".

The final childhood reference to John states, "And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel" (Luke 1:80). After this the focus of the gospel turns to Jesus and we have no additional record of John's childhood.

Indeed many rejoiced at John's birth and he had a role as the one preparing the way for the Lord. Due to his zeal and bold proclamation for righteous living through repentance, his life was cut short and still today he is recognized as one of the great characters in the Bible.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:  Father, we are warmed by the words of the prophecy delivered to Zachariah concerning the future birth of his only son, John, "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord". When we read through the powerful messages John the Baptist preached in the Desert of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" we're reminded of the voice of the prophet Isaiah who described him as "A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." You sent Jesus who followed in John's footsteps after he was thrown into prison and who  also preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." And now we who follow Christ share the same message with others, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." It is the evergreen message for all believers to convey to the unsaved. Help us to lovingly and courageously share this message of salvation that leads to eternal hope. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Brooksyne's note: Considering our study of John and his parents these last two messages I wondered aloud with Stephen if John's parents were living when he was murdered by Herod. Stephen thought probably not since they were "great in years" at John's birth. Perhaps that's a question I can ask Elizabeth in heaven and then I'll know for sure!

Stephen's note: A piece of art work hung in the hallway of my childhood home with a drawing of John the Baptist. As a child my only understanding of "Baptist" was the name of a church. I earnestly but mistakenly assumed his name meant that he attended a Baptist church like the one my Uncle Gentry and Aunt Dora attended in Harwood, MO. Eventually their son, my cousin George (in the family we call him Dubby), became a Baptist pastor.