Luke 1:63-64 (NIV)

He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some miracles in your life that you may have overlooked or taken for granted?
  2. How does Zechariah’s response to God’s grace challenge you to respond with gratitude and praise in your own life?
  3. In what areas of your life do you need God’s miracle-working power to restore, and how can you align your heart with His plan today?

Devotion

In Luke 1:63-64, we witness a powerful moment of transformation. After months of silence, Zechariah is finally able to speak again. His speech is restored the moment he obediently names his son “John,” just as the angel had instructed. The entire community was astonished by this act of faith and obedience. Zechariah’s moment of praise was not just a reaction to a miracle—it was the result of his heart being in alignment with God’s plan. His response was more than words; it was a declaration of God’s greatness and a recognition of the miracles unfolding before him.

Zechariah’s speechlessness and sudden ability to speak are symbolic of the deeper miracle at work in his life. Not only was his physical ability to speak restored, but his spiritual vision was too. He had been silenced due to his doubt, but now his obedience to God’s direction led to a fresh outpouring of praise. Zechariah’s declaration, “His name is John,” was an acknowledgment that God’s grace, not tradition or custom, had the final say. Naming the child John—meaning “God is gracious”—was a sign of God’s mercy at work in his life. This was not just a moment of physical healing; it was a moment of spiritual awakening.

The miracle didn’t stop with Zechariah’s voice being restored. It continued to reverberate throughout his community, as “awe fell upon the whole neighborhood.” This is the power of gratitude—it not only transforms us but spreads to those around us. When we choose to respond to God’s miracles with praise, we participate in an ongoing act of worship that points others to His grace.

During this Advent season, let us reflect on the many miracles in our own lives—whether big or small. How often do we, like Zechariah, find ourselves in awe of God’s grace, even in moments of silence or uncertainty? May we open our mouths in praise and recognize that God’s miracles are not just events but the very presence of His grace in our lives.