Unlike Mary, who was so overwhelmed by events that she hardly had time to think, Zacharias had reflected for the better part of a year on the unusual thing that God was doing.  And it had seemed like an eternity because, ever since that day in the Temple, he had been forced to wait in silence.

     He would never forget that day.  It was a day he had looked forward to for a long time.  A man got to do Temple service only once in his lifetime.  And he had drawn the service of offering incense before the Lord.

     How surprised he was when, as he offered the burnt incense and prayed for Messiah to come, an angel appeared and told him his prayer had been heard.  He was overjoyed to know that the Messiah was soon to appear.  But the next thing the angel said really puzzled him.  He said Elizabeth would have a baby, a son, who was to be called John.

     How that thrilled the godly old man's heart.  But then he realized that it was quite impossible.  Both he and Elizabeth were too old.  They couldn't have a child.  He said as much to the angel, and that's when he lost his speech.

     The angel said he would be unable to speak "until the day that these things shall be performed."  And that is the way it had been now for more than nine months.

     About three months ago he thought things might be going to change.  They had a visit from Elizabeth's cousin, Mary.  No sooner did she say hello than Elizabeth got very excited and began shouting about Mary being the mother of her Lord.  Mary stayed for about three months.  He listened often as the two women talked, wishing he could join in.  But he never could.

     Not long after Mary left, Elizabeth gave birth to a son.  He was so excited he wanted to shout.  But he still couldn't say a word.  In fact, it wasn't until eight days later, when he named the baby John, that his mouth was opened and he could speak.

     "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David," he sang.  His noble song, found in Luke 1:68-79, gives us a clear insight into the heart of this godly priest.

     Nine months he had been silent.  Now he could speak.  And the thing he wanted to talk about was salvation.

     Perhaps an enforced silence would change the things we talk about also.  But even without that, we can ponder the Christmas Story and realize as Zacharias did that salvation is its theme.

     Christmas is not about a baby who was born.  It is about a baby who was born to die, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

     May God help us in this Christmas season to share the real meaning of Christmas with all.