And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have named him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said,
"Not so; he shall be called John."
And they said to her,
"None of your kindred is called by this name."
And they made signs to his father,
inquiring what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
"His name is John."
And they all marveled.
And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Yes, Lord, John the Baptist was your herald.
He announced that you were coming.
You were coming very soon.
Help us to have that expectant faith.
Come into our lives, O Lord.
We are lost without you.
Come and bring us life and hope.
Help us to have a sense of wonder.
You called John.
You are calling us.
You have named us.
We are your children.
We are yours.
Help us, Lord, to read your holy words in the Bible.
Help us to trust in your promises.
You have come to save us.
We receive you, O Lord.
We sing the Christmas songs, but we don't know you.
Show us, O Lord, who you are.
Help us to see you.
We see the Christmas lights
and you are THE light of the world.
Shine on us, O Lord.
Let us see your light.
We are in darkness.
Save us, O Lord.
Come and save us, O Lord.
You are our Savior.
Amen.