His Name is John! - Nativity of John the Baptist

In one of the more remarkable moments of the Gospel, Elizabeth defied family tradition with one succinct phrase: “He will be called John.” As the Gospel indicates, the name is not an accident. It was pronounced by the angel Gabriel to Zechariah – and its meaning serves to send a message to the world. Some translations have it as “Gift of God” or “Graced by God.” But in one interpretation that I like, the name means “God is gracious.” And so it was, that before this child uttered a word, just with his name, announced the hope that would come with the Christ. God is gracious!