Over 700 years had passed since the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of the Messiah. Back then, the Hebrew people didn't know that His Name would be Jesus - they just knew that someday God would send them a Saviour.
Over the years, many people had forgotten about God's promise to send the Saviour, but Zacharias the priest was different. He and his wife, Elisabeth, served God the best way that they knew how, and always put Him first in their lives.
Zacharias and Elisabeth had always wanted to have children, but they were never able to. It was a sad thing for them, but they kept believing in God and looking for the Messiah to come. Then one day everything changed.
Zacharias was in the temple burning incense when suddenly, an Angel of the Lord appeared. Zacharias was terrified, but the Angel said, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shall call his name John."
The Angel told Zacharias all about the special son that he was to have. As the Angel finished speaking, Zacharias asked him how he would know that this was the truth, because he and his wife were too old to have children. The Angel told Zacharias that because he questioned his Word, he would not be able to speak until his son was born.
Zacharias left the temple and headed for home. He must have wondered how he was going to tell his wife that they were going to have a son. Would she believe him? Would she think he was crazy? How was he even going to talk to her? He couldn't speak!
Zacharias hurried home to let his wife know about the incredible visit he just had with the Angel, Gabriel. We don't know exactly how he told her about his experience, but he must have figured something out!