When Herod was king of Judea, 

there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. 

He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, 

and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.  

Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, 

careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  

They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, 

and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, 

for his order was on duty that week.  

As was the custom of the priests, 

he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.  

While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, 

an angel of the Lord appeared to him, 

standing to the right of the incense altar.  

Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.  

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! 

God has heard your prayer. 

Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

Luke 1:5-13