Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.

When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”

Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has visitedand provided redemption for his people.He has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the house of his servant David,just as he spoke by the mouthof his holy prophets in ancient times;salvation from our enemiesand from the hand of those who hate us.He has dealt mercifully with our fathersand remembered his holy covenant—the oath that he swore to our father Abraham.He has given us the privilege,since we have been rescuedfrom the hand of our enemies,to serve him without fearin holiness and righteousnessin his presence all our days.And you, child, will be calleda prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lordto prepare his ways,to give his people knowledge of salvationthrough the forgiveness of their sins.Because of our God’s merciful compassion,the dawn from on high will visit usto shine on those who live in darknessand the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the way of peace.