Catholic Activity: Jesse Tree, Day 18 — Zechariah (Zachariah)
Symbols: censor or thurible, tablet
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. (Luke 2:76)
Zechariah was a Levite priest, the husband of Elizabeth, and father of St. John the Baptist. They were old and childless, and the angel Gabriel appeared to him when he was offering in the Temple. Zechariah doubted, and was struck dumb.
When his son was born, Zechariah wrote on the tablet, "His name is John," fulfilling what the angel Gabriel had told him. God opened his mouth and Zechariah was able to speak again. His first words were praise of God, known as the Benedictus or Canticle of Zachariah. His Canticle is prayed every day in the Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.
DIRECTIONS
Recommended Scripture Readings:
- Luke 1:5-25; 57-80
- Benedictus or Canticle of Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79
Selections from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Jesse Tree Overview
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Printable PDF Jesse Tree guide: The Jesse Tree: Advent 2023
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2023 by Jennifer Gregory Miller
