Well, now, howdy there, tiny theologian?

This is Mr. Wiseman speaking.

And let me tell you, I'm mighty glad you're here today.

We're all the way up to Day 19 of our Jesse Tree journey, and my, oh my, is today's story a good one.

Now you go ahead and fetch your Day 19 Jesse Tree card and your angel ornament.

Yes, sir, the one with wings stretched wide and a message from on high.

Got it? Well, good gracious. Let's begin. Today we're going to meet a man named Zachari. He was a priest,

one of those faithful fellows who served God in the temple.

Now, Zachari and his wife Elizabeth were both older folks. Older than me and Mrs. Wiseman,

if you can't believe it, and they didn't have any children. They had prayed and prayed,

but the years just kept a passing by.

But one day, while Zachariah was doing his priestly duties in the temple, something downright

astonishing happened. Well, let's read it from Luke 1, 11 to 13.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

When Zachari saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.

But the angel said him, do not be afraid, Zacharii, your prayer has been heard.

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to call him John.

Well, good, God and gracious. Can you imagine that? An angel showing up right there in the middle of your

workday to tell you your prayers are being answered. But Zachari bless his heart. He had a hard

time believing it.

He thought he and Elizabeth were way too old to have a baby.

So the angel Gabriel gave him a little heavenly time out.

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