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just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
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With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
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Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
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for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
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When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
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Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
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For no word from God will ever fail.”
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“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
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for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
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He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
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He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”
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Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
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He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
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to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear
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And everyone went to their own town to register.
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(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),
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“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
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a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
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When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
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The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.
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Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
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Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
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The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
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Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
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Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
