After nine months of silence, Zechariah has something to say!
Of course, it’s not just that he’s been bursting to talk, or even that nine months of reflection has led to such deep insights. The Holy Spirit fills Zechariah. Zechariah’s song is all about God’s mercy. There is the mercy of being noticed. God has looked, taken note, recognized the need of God’s people. There is the mercy of redemption. God promised ages before to save the people and is acting now to do so. This is a song of mercy, blessing and redemption.
And so the old priest Zechariah, near the end of his days, sings a song of mercy, blessing, and then forgiveness. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Our prayer is that God will fill us with His Spirit that we may turn to each other with words of mercy, blessing, and forgiveness.