He was the voice of radical change. He was the sword that cut through rock hard hearts. He was the tongue that told the caustic truths. He began as a dream- the dream of prophets long before him, who proclaimed that God would send Elijah to earth once again to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. He was also the dream of an old couple named Elizabeth and Zechariah, who had lived a long, full life without being able to bear children.
Dreams do sometimes come true.
John's birth left his father speechless and his mother beaming. John was filled with priestly blood. His father served as a priest in the temple- his mother was a descendant of Aaron. His destiny seemed laid out before him- he would lead people back to God. He would turn the hearts of parents to their children and get people excited about righteousness.