Elizabeth

When she heard the news from the angel, Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth.

Filled with the Holy Spirit

When Mary greeted her, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. Elizabeth cried out, filled with the Holy Spirit: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”

At the baby’s birth, the neighbors and relatives wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father.

Obeying the Angel’s Command

But Elizabeth said firmly: “Not so; but he shall be called John.” (John means the Lord is gracious.) Zechariah wrote on a tablet: “His name is John.” At that moment his tongue was freed, and he praised God.