Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 / Luke 1:57-66
The task of choosing a name is an honourable task but nonetheless a difficult task.
Whether it is choosing a name for a person, or for a business, or for a society, there are many factors to be considered.
One of which is that it must sound nice and also meaningful, not just in the predominant language, but also in other dialects and languages.
The name John is a Jewish name (Yehohanan) and it means God-is-gracious.
That name has a great significance for Elizabeth and Zechariah.
Elizabeth was barren and barrenness was seen as a curse from God.
So the conception and birth of John was indeed a gracious blessing from God.
But God's grace did not just give Zechariah and Elizabeth a son.
God's grace will be continued in the life and mission of John.
John's mission was to prepare the people for the time of intense grace from God.
A time of restoration to the dignity as God's people. A time of reconciliation between God and each other.
As Christmas draws near, let us prepare ourselves to receive this moment of intense grace from God, so that we can be a grace-filled and a graceful people.