When God became man: A priest's prophecy

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God" (Luke 1:76-78a).

Zacharias had been unable to speak since the angel Gabriel had told him his wife would give birth to a son in her old age. When Zacharias wrote on a tablet his newborn son's name would be John, he finally was able to speak.

Upon hearing his own voice once again, the elderly priest broke into praise to God. At the filling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:67), he offered a prophecy about his infant. God had provided salvation, and Zacharias' son would go before the Most High as His prophet, preparing the way for the One who would shine light upon those in darkness and direct people to peace. In several months, this One -- described as "the Sunshine from on high" (Luke 1:78b) -- would be revealed.