As we prepare for this 2020 Christmas it's especially important this year to believe that with God all things are possible. For when we doubt that God can do anything then there are consequences.
Zechariah's section of priests are serving in the temple and by lot he is chosen to go into the innermost area of the sanctuary to offer incense. While he is in there and the other priests are just behind the closed door of the innermost area praying, the Angel Gabriel appears on the right side of the altar. Seeing the Angel, Zechariah is filled with fear.
Gabriel calms him and tells him that he and Elizabeth will have a baby and he is to name him John. Zechariah doubts this-- he doubts that with God all things are possible. "I'm old and Elizabeth is getting up in years," Zechariah says. The Angel responds to his doubt with insight into who baby John will grow up to be: '... for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before Him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.' Luke 1:15-17
Then Gabriel tells Zechariah that since he doubts he will not be able to speak a word until
what the Angel has said comes to pass. Zechariah is mute until it is time to name their son John and remarkably during that time of silence Zechariah's faith matures to the point where he firmly believes with all his heart that with God all things are possible. Let us believe. For truly my friend, with God all things are possible. This we believe.