Luke 1:59-66 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:59-66 on biblegateway.com
Verse 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. Verse 60But his mother said, "No; he is to be called John." Verse 61They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name." Verse 62Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. Verse 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed. Verse 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Verse 65Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. Verse 66All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Devotion
When he regained the power of his speech, Zechariah’s first words were praise of God. What were your first words this morning? What will your last words be this evening? Advent is a time to pay attention to our speaking. Try these words— thank you, bless you, love you.
Prayer
Holy God, be the guardian of my tongue this day. Hallow my first words and my last. May each be a syllable that glorifies you. Amen.