area. ‘The neighbours were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him’ (1:65–66). This is a song of hope. Elizabeth’s song (1:42–45) was a song of love. Mary’s song (1:46–55) was a song of faith; and now Zechariah sings a song of hope.10 This was not a vague hope. It was not just a wish for the future.