Two days before Christmas we hear about the birth of John the Baptist and the controversy over his name. Neighbours and relatives wanted to follow Jewish tradition and call the child by his father's name - Zechariah. However, his parents - obedient to God's will decided to call him John.

Naming ceremony was very important for the people of the Old Covenant. A name not only identified someone in a crowd but it also revealed something about the person's history and destiny. We can see that in many biblical stories and in the story of John the Baptist as well.

John's name means - "The Lord shows favour." He indeed was a sign of God's graciousness and love for his aging parents to whom his birth brought an abundance of joy. John was also a sign of God's providence and mercy to the people of Israel. It was he who had been destined by God to turn to conversion, repentance and forgiveness God's people and so prepare them for the coming of the Messiah. As we hear in the prophecy of Malachi: "He shall turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of the children towards their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse."

God has shown us His favour because He created us and destined us for salvation through Jesus Christ.