Zechariah was mute for the pregnancy of John the Baptist for not believing the angel Gabriel when it was prophesied that Elizabeth would bear a son. As soon as John
was born, though, Zechariah’s voice returned, and he sang these words, “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in
darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” We would do well to let this song lead us into worship today.