So, why did Zechariah have to write down his baby’s name? Earlier in this chapter, we learn that an angel had appeared to him and told him that he and his wife would have a baby, even though Elizabeth was much too old to become pregnant (v. 13). Zechariah expressed his doubts that such a thing could happen (v. 18), so the angel removed his ability to speak until after the baby would be born (v. 20). That’s why he had to write down the baby’s name – because he hadn’t believed that God was either able or willing to do the impossible.

Okay, so why did it take eight days after the baby’s birth for Zechariah to recover his ability to speak? Because of something else the angel told him – that the baby would be the one the prophet Malachi had predicted would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, preparing the way for the coming of the Lord (v. 17 – see Malachi 4:5-6). Thus, the angel said that this baby should carry the name John, which means “God is gracious.”

And so, when Zechariah insisted that the baby should be called John, he was thus rejecting his disbelief and instead embracing the truth of everything the angel had said about the baby. And it was only when he thus surrendered to God, accepting His plans and obeying His will that Zechariah was once again able to speak. For it was only then that he would say the right sorts of things to and about his child.

So, what about us? Are there promises of God that you are having a hard time believing today? The Christmas story proves that there is nothing impossible for God, even if it also shows us that God’s plans don’t always make sense to our worldly way of thinking. So, whatever is going on in our lives, let’s trust the Lord, believing in His power and His love. And may He open our hearts and mouths to sing His praise and give Him glory today.

Luke 1:57-66 (ESV)

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,
60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.”
61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”
62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.
65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea,
66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.