Over 400 years after the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, a priest named Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, lived near the city. They had been married for many years but did not have any children. One day as Zechariah offered incense in the temple sanctuary, the angel Gabriel appeared. Zechariah was frightened, but Gabriel said: ‘Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news from Jehovah. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son and his name will be John. Jehovah has chosen John for a special work.’ Zechariah asked: ‘How can I believe you? My wife and I are too old to have a child.’ Gabriel said: ‘I have been sent by God to give you this news. But because you did not believe me, you will not be able to speak until after the baby is born.’

Zechariah stayed in the sanctuary longer than usual. So when he finally came out, the people waiting outside wanted to know what had happened. Zechariah could not speak. He could only make gestures with his hands. Then the people realized that Zechariah had received a message from God.

In time, Elizabeth became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy, just as the angel had said. Her friends and relatives came to see the baby. They were very happy for her. Elizabeth said: ‘His name will be John.’ They said: ‘There’s no one in your family named John. Name him Zechariah, after his father.’ But Zechariah wrote down the words: ‘John is his name.’ At that moment, Zechariah could speak again! News about the baby spread all over Judea, and people wondered: ‘What will this child grow up to be?’

Then Zechariah became filled with holy spirit. He prophesied: ‘Let Jehovah be praised. He promised Abraham that He would send a savior, the Messiah, to rescue us. John will be a prophet, and he will prepare the way for the Messiah.’

Something special also happened to Elizabeth’s relative Mary. Let’s find out about this in the next chapter.

Elizabeth had a young relative named Mary, who lived in the city of Nazareth in Galilee. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. He said: ‘Good day, Mary. Jehovah has greatly favored you.’ She did not understand what Gabriel meant. He then told her: ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will rule as King. His Kingdom will last forever.’

Mary said: ‘But I am a virgin. How could I have a child?’ Gabriel said: ‘Nothing is impossible for Jehovah. Holy spirit will come upon you, and you will have a son. Your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant.’ Then Mary said: ‘I am Jehovah’s slave girl. May it happen to me just as you have said.’

Mary went to a city in the hills to visit Elizabeth. When Mary greeted her, Elizabeth felt the baby inside of her jump. Filled with holy spirit, she said: ‘Mary, Jehovah has blessed you. It is an honor to have the mother of my Lord in my home.’ Mary said: ‘I praise Jehovah with all my heart.’ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, and then she went home to Nazareth.

When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he wanted to end the engagement. But an angel appeared to him in a dream and said: ‘Don’t be afraid to marry her. She hasn’t done anything wrong.’ So Joseph took Mary as his wife and brought her to his home.