An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1: 11-17 Common English Bible (CEB)
“Your prayers have been heard…” What was Zechariah praying for? Probably not for a child; he had certainly given up hope years ago. No, on this most special of occasions, when he was offering incense at the altar, incense that symbolized the prayers of the Jewish people, he would surely have been praying for Israel, for God’s intervention in her subjugation to Rome. He is heard, right then and there, and answered.
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For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God, the King, and peace to men on earth.
