Elizabeth gives birth to the son God had promised through Gabriel. Zechariah’s muteness and deafness are removed after he names his son John in obedience to what God had commanded. Upon the lifting of his silence, he proceeds to prophesy. The time of the Messiah is at hand. God is providing the Saviour He promised. Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenant promises God made to Abraham. He has come to rescue and redeem people. To shine light on those who live in the darkness and to bring life to those under the shadow of death, and John would have the honor of preparing the way for Him. As people who have received the salvation Zechariah foresaw, we now get to bear testimony to Jesus as the one who came to bring light and life and peace to a world filled with darkness, death and fear.