Luke 1 selected verses

(8-9) On one occasion, while Zechariah was serving as priest before God and his division was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

(11-17) An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome by fear. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son for you, and you are to name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, because he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will…prepare a people who are ready for the Lord.”

(24) After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived. She kept herself in seclusion for five months.

(39-41) In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

(57-60) When the time came for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they were rejoicing with her. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. They wanted to call him Zechariah after the name of the father. But his mother answered, “No. He will be called John.”

(61) They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

(62) They made signs to his father, to see what he wanted to name him.

(63) He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

(64-66) Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came on all who lived around them. In the entire hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. And everyone who heard this took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” (EHV)

Every child is unique, different from every other child in multiple ways. This may be in small things, or large ones. One of the more unique children described in the Bible was John, called “the Baptist” or “the Baptizer.” The announcement by the angel Gabriel of his upcoming conception and birth was special. John would also have a special purpose: “to prepare a people who are ready for the Lord.” That he would be unique would be clear already before his birth, even to the point of his leaping for joy in the womb when coming into the presence of the unborn Jesus. And raising the child into adulthood would require a special approach, such as him not having wine or beer. That he was unique was common knowledge, for “in the entire hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.”

Perhaps on some level, you can relate to Zechariah and Elizabeth. As a parent of a child with extraordinary challenges, you might see people looking at your child “differently,” and talking about him or her in ways they wouldn't talk about other children, perhaps not always kindly.

Your child may need special foods or medications, or specific doctors or therapists. Certain approaches might work well, while others produce results exactly opposite what you were hoping for.

But unlike John's parents, who were told the purpose for his life, you might wonder what purpose your child has on this earth. Depending on the challenges your child faces, you might even wonder if your child will have anything to contribute to society.

Yet the same God who knew the purpose of John's life God knows the purpose of your child’s life, even if he hasn't sent an angel to proclaim it. Maybe it will involve how your child interacts with a medical professional or therapist. Maybe it will be how your child has time with someone from church, or leads your church or school to make adaptations that will help other children in the future. Or maybe it will be that raising your child will help you understand the unique challenges that can come from being such a parent, so that someday you can help support other parents, such as Light for Parents volunteers seek to do now.

Whatever God has in mind for your child and you, be assured of God's love, which led him to send John. He was indeed “a prophet of the Most High,” who would “go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of God’s tender mercies.” (Luke 1:76-78) As we go through the book of Luke in this series of devotions, remember that you have that same God with you always as you parent your child.

Heavenly Father, you have watched over me during my life, caring for me and guiding me. Please help me as I seek to be the best parent I can be for my child, even through the various challenges we face. While I may not know the purpose for these challenges or understand how this can be a part of your good plan, give me the assurance that, just as you knew all that John needed and would face, you know all that my child needs and can provide it. Guide me to do my part in carrying out your plan. Amen.

by Paul Mose