An empty cradle sat collecting dust in the quiet home of an elderly couple.  Carved many years ago, by anxious hands – filled with soft blankets of lambs wool.  Time passed and still the cradle remained empty.

A sad scenario for many couples today.  There are those who have no qualms about ending a pregnancy, while others long to have children.  It was the same for this pair.  Their home remained childless for years.  Only the sound of children laughing and playing outside would lighten their hearts and make them hopeful again.

They were God fearing people – followed the commandments – served the Lord in every way, but for some reason their prayers for a child went unanswered.

In this scenario, as with many in God’s book, we see how God determines the right time and place for prayers to be answered and how He uses those circumstances to do amazing things.

One day, as her husband fulfilled his priestly duties in the temple, an angel  appeared to him and said his wife would have a son, and that this boy would fulfill God’s ancient promise to His people.  Zachariah doubted and because of this, his own voice was silenced until the birth of his child.

The joy in Elizabeth’s heart had to have been overwhelming as she prepared for the birth of her first born child.  She must have wondered why God waited so long, but even though she was well beyond child bearing years, here she was old and pregnant.  The thought of having a child at my age would be terrifying, but she accepted God’s will with joy.

Things were being set in motion.   John, would grow into the man who prepared the way for the promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah.  All in God’s timing.

Isaiah 41:3  A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”