But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,

and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,

and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.

But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.”

And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.

But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side

and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!