Zechariah, a priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, and his wife Elizabeth, a kinswoman of the Virgin Mary, were the parents of Saint John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke calls them 'righteous before God,' and though childless into old age, they received the promise of a son from the angel Gabriel. At John's birth, Zechariah's tongue was loosed and he proclaimed the Benedictus, blessing God who had visited His people.
They teach us patient, faithful hope: they kept praying and serving God through long years when their deepest longing seemed impossible. Elizabeth's joyful welcome of Mary and Zechariah's song of praise show hearts ready to recognize God's visitation and to rejoice in His promises, even after seasons of silence and waiting.
Lord God, who blessed Zechariah and Elizabeth with faith through long waiting and turned their sorrow into a song of praise, teach us to trust Your promises and to recognize Your quiet visitations. Through their prayers, keep our hope steadfast until we see Your salvation. Amen.