The Explanation

An old priest named Zacharias was doing his work in the temple. He and his wife Elizabeth loved God, but they had no children, and now they were old. That made them sad.

One day it was Zacharias's turn to burn incense inside the temple. Outside, people were praying. Suddenly an angel stood right there beside the altar. Zacharias was terrified. His heart must have been pounding.

"Don't be afraid, Zacharias," the angel said. "Your wife will have a son. You will call him John."

That was wonderful news, but Zacharias could hardly believe it. "How can I be sure?" he asked. The angel told him his name was Gabriel, sent straight from God. Because Zacharias doubted, he would not be able to speak until the baby was born. When he came out of the temple, he could only wave his hands. No words came out at all.

Six months later, Gabriel had another important visit. This time he went to a young girl named Mary, in a town called Nazareth. "Rejoice, you highly favored one," Gabriel said. "The Lord is with you." Mary was startled. What did this mean?

"Don't be afraid, Mary," said the angel. "You will have a son, and you will call him Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. His kingdom will never end."

Mary asked how this could happen, since she was not even married yet. Gabriel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you." Then he said something Mary could hold onto forever: "Nothing spoken by God is impossible."

Mary answered, "Let it be done to me according to your word." Then she hurried to visit Elizabeth. The moment Mary greeted her, the baby inside Elizabeth jumped for joy. Elizabeth shouted with happiness, and Mary sang a song about God's greatness.

Months later, Elizabeth's baby was born. Everyone wanted to name him after his father, but Elizabeth said, "No, his name is John." When Zacharias wrote the same name on a tablet, his voice suddenly came back. He began praising God out loud.

What Does This Mean?

Two impossible things happened in this chapter. An old woman had a baby. A virgin had a baby. Both times, people had good reasons to say "that cannot happen." But God was not stopped by what looked impossible. He kept his promises exactly the way he said he would, even when the waiting was long and hard.

The Common Thread

Long ago, God promised King David that someone from his family would rule forever. The angel told Mary that her son Jesus would sit on David's throne forever. This baby was not just any baby. He was the one God had been promising since Abraham. John, Elizabeth's son, would grow up to go ahead of Jesus and get people ready for him.

For You

Sometimes you wait for something and it feels like it will never happen. Zacharias and Elizabeth waited years. Think of one thing you are waiting for right now, and tell God about it, just like they kept praying.

Talk About It

Zacharias doubted the angel's words. Mary also asked a question, but then she trusted. What is the difference between asking a question and doubting?

If an angel told you something impossible was about to happen, what do you think you would do?

Praying Together

Dear God, you kept your promises to Zacharias and Mary even when it seemed impossible. Thank you that nothing is too hard for you. Help me trust you while I wait too. Amen.