Zechariah's Song of Joy

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them." — Luke 1:68

There are a lot of things we focus on in the Nativity Story. We talk about Mary. We talk about Joseph. We talk about Nazareth, the manger, the star, the shepherds and the wise men. We talk about Angels. We talk about Elizabeth and her son, John, who paved the way for Jesus.

But we don't talk much about Zechariah. It might be because he doesn't talk much in the Scriptures. We first see him early in Luke when he's in the Temple and the Angel Gabriel visits him to tell him he'll have a son, John, who will pave the way for the Savior. Zechariah has a moment of doubt, for which he's left mute until his son is born.

After John is born, Zechariah speaks. His eloquent words are a praise to God, and a foreshadowing of what's to come. Then his story is done. He's not there long, but there is plenty to learn from Zechariah because, indeed, it seems like his time of silence has spoken to him as well.

Zechariah's song is one of joy. It's a song of celebration of what God has done in his life, giving him a song. It's also a celebration of what He has done for the Israel, providing a path of salvation. And it's a praise for his son, John, and the role he'll play in that.

It's hard to imagine living without a voice for nine months. What must it have been like for Zechariah. He probably had a million ideas. He probably spent a lot of time thinking and reflecting. And I think you see that in his response.

It makes you think, what would I do? How would I respond? Do I spend enough time in silent reflection?