Meanwhile...

Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give knowledge of salvation to his people

by the forgiveness of their sins.

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Meanwhile, 

alongside the advent of God,

Zechariah and Elizabeth

were grappling with the blessing of the gift 

of their son, John

John who "was not the light"

but who was sent to

Prepare the Way

As if the blessing of new life

were not enough - 

To know that this child, their child,

would be the one

to herald the advent

of the long-awaited Messiah

bringing light into darkness

and peace on earth

What a gift!