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Elizabeth

Elizabeth (left) and Mary

Elizabeth was the wife of Zechariah and the mother of John the Baptist.

History[]

Elizabeth was married to Zechariah who was a devoted priest. Like Sarah, Elizabeth was old and barren for many years. One day, when Zechariah went to the temple to bring offerings to the Lord, an angel named Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and told him that Elizabeth was going to have a son and that he will be called John. Knowing that Elizabeth was unable to have children because she was at the age passed her child bearing years, Zechariah doubted the angel's message and asked Gabriel for a sign. Gabriel caused Zechariah to not speak for 9 months since he failed to believe in the angel's message. Elizabeth miraculously became pregnant. When Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant with John, her young cousin Mary came to visit who is also pregnant with Jesus. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and love greeted Mary by saying "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb". Then the baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped for joy as well as the baby Jesus jumped in Mary's womb as the women exchanged their greetings. After Elizabeth gave birth to a son and after the baby was circumcised, Elizabeth's family asked her what she wanted to name the baby and she answered that he will be named John, Her family disagreed and wanted the child to be named after Zechariah since no child in the family was never named John. They asked Zechariah if he agrees as Zechariah was writing in a small stone tablet and after finishing he lifted the tablet and miraculously regained his voice as he said "This child's name is John" much to everyone's surprise.

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