Luke begins his Gospel carefully. He explains that he studied everything from the beginning so that his friend Theophilus would know the truth. His story starts in the temple, where Zechariah, an old priest, was burning incense. Gabriel appeared and announced that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son. John would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning hearts back to God.
Zechariah asked how he could be sure, and because he did not believe, he was silent until the birth. Gabriel's next visit was very different. Mary also asked a question, How can this be? But her question came from wonder, not doubt. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, so her child would be holy, the Son of God. He reminded her that Elizabeth was expecting too, because nothing spoken by God is impossible. Mary answered that she was the Lord's servant.
When Mary visited Elizabeth, she sang a song of praise. She celebrated that God lifts up the humble and remembers His promises to Abraham. At John's birth, Zechariah praised God that He had come to rescue His people, and that John would prepare the way for the Lord.