Saturday 20 December 2025
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. (vs 59-60)
Background
Back in the 1950s, when I was born, my mother was seen as an older mother at the age of 35. While she was expecting, she and my dad talked long and hard about what I should be called. It had to be something that went with a Scottish surname – McLean – and mum added a small complication.
At the age of 35 she had been told that she would probably have a child with learning problems (such was the science of the day). She was determined that I would be able to write my own name and so they settled on Una (pronounced You-na). It fitted the Scottish criteria and fitted mum’s educational conundrum (a bowl, a hill, a ball and a stick – look at the letters that form my name!).
'Una' is unusual, but fairly conservative compared to the names I have come across in baptisms in my life as a presbyter. In today's Bible passage, there is no precedent on either side of the family for the child to be named John. The custom of the day would have named the first-born son after his father – so he would have been called Zechariah.
I am fascinated by the idea that the neighbours make signs at Zechariah to check out the baby’s name (v. 62) because Luke 1: 22 tells us that Zechariah was struck dumb in his encounter with the angel, not deaf!
Zechariah had been sceptical when the angel said his wife would have a child and was struck dumb as a consequence (Luke 1:15-23). His lack of speech has continued right through his wife Elizabeth’s pregnancy and the subsequent birth of his son but on this 8th day (the ceremony of circumcision and naming of a child) Zechariah shows no hesitation or lack of faith or doubt but endorses the angel's command. He boldly writes "his name is John" (v. 63). His voice is restored and he praises God.
All of these extraordinary events clearly will spark a debate about what sort of person this baby will grow into.
To Ponder:
- When have you been ‘struck dumb’ by the activity or presence of God? Alternatively, when have you simply rejoiced in God’s faithfulness?
Prayer
God of the seen and unseen, the silent and the spoken, the embodiment of human life and hope, continue to guide and strengthen our journey of faith as we celebrate your coming among us this Christmas. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Una McLean
Una is a retired presbyter living in Northumberland with her small dog Patricia. She enjoys all manner of craft work, reading, theatre, cinema and music. She also participates in Traildog events, which grew out of people running in local park runs with their dogs (today she and Patricia walk them as Una treasures her knees).