As heaven-sent words bubbled out through Zechariah’s mouth, a stillness fell over everyone present. It was so clear that God’s presence filled the tiny house that was packed with well-wishers and gossip mongers alike. For Zechariah it felt that after years of faithfully serving God, in a ritual-filled way he was finally understanding what God and life were all about. Even in the visits to the Holy of Holies there had always seemed to be a veil between him and God, a separation; but now he felt and knew as truth the Joy and delight of a heavenly father who loved him even more than he himself loved his newborn son. There was no veil between him and God for these precious moments while he held his sleeping son in his arms and sang out the heartbeat of God.
‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked with favour on his people and he has saved us.
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us born to the house of his servant David.
Just as he said he would when he spoke through his holy prophets in ancient times; that we would be delivered from our enemies and even from the hands of all those who hate us’
Zachariah trembled with emotion, so much so that Elizabeth wondered should she offer to hold their boy, but she held back, knowing that this trembling was because her beloved husband was experiencing the heavenly presence from beyond the veil.
‘So, God has shown us the same mercy he promised to our forefathers, and has not forgotten the holy promise that is between him and his people.
The oath that he promised to our forefather Abraham, to permit us to serve Him without fear; we whom God rescued from our enemies all those years ago. We are free to serve him in holiness and righteousness all our days’
Rivers of tears were flowing down many of the older faces as they heard Zechariah remind them of God’s deliverance of them in ancient times, and as he spoke of a new deliverance, even in their time. Zachariah gazed upon his son, a look of pure devotion that captured everyone by its simplicity and intensity. His voice began to crack as he sang:
‘And you, my precious child, you will be called the Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways; through you, God will give us all knowledge and insight into how He saves and rescues us, by forgiving us every single wrong thing that we do.
By God’s tender and loving mercy the dawn from heaven is about to break open a new day, to show us the heartbeat of God; to give light to all of us who sit in dark places with darkened thoughts, and even in the very shadow of death. You are God’s gift to us, through you He will guide our feet into the way of peace!’
It was a moment that none would ever forget, the stillness in that room was wonderful as each one present realised the unique moment of history that they were witness to.