After the unusual circumstances of John the Baptist's birth, people were asking, "What will this child turn out to be?" The answers are given in the other readings for today. John, before he was born, had been chosen to do a special work - namely to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, the Saviour-King. He would make a great impression on people but, ultimately, he will yield to someone greater, one whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. In many ways, our calling is similar to that of John. We, too, have been called by God from all eternity to do a special work for him. Of us, too, the question can be asked, "What will I turn out to be?" How have I turned out so far? Have I been responding to the call to serve God and His people? Do I know what that call is? Perhaps today I could reflect prayerfully in answer to this question. And then ask God for the strength to be what He wants me to be and to do in His Kingdom the work that I alone in my uniqueness can do for Him.