When John the Baptist’s miracle birth was announced to Zechariah in the Temple, the angel  made Zechariah mute until the baby was born. After Elizabeth gave birth to the baby, and at his circumcision,  she named him John. That is when Zechariah was able to speak again, and he confirmed that the baby would be named John – which means the Lord is gracious. God Himself named this miracle baby;  for the Lord is gracious  as John begins salvation history as the promised forerunner of the Messiah.

Zechariah not only confirmed that the baby’s name is John, but he also praised God with a special Psalm, called the Benedictus. The Benedictus is a Berakah Prayer of thanksgiving to God.