John the Baptist, then, the herald of the Messiah, is born, circumcised, and named. His father, Zechariah, received back his speech, was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied that his son would be “the prophet of the Most High” (Luke 1:76). Zechariah’s prophecy—a song of praise for God’s faithfulness to Israel—became known as the Benedictus (Latin for “blessed”) and is one of the most beautiful canticles in all of Scripture. To this day the Benedictus is prayed daily by every deacon,