In the Fullness of Time, Part 1: A Voice Cries

   In the Fullness of Time is a series of short stories based on the narrative of Jesus' birth found in the Gospel of Luke.  For this series, I have used the English Standard Version as the text upon which these stories are based.  Most of the quotes are either paraphrases or direct quotes from the ESV.  Part 1 is based on Luke 1:8-23.  

   “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Zechariah voiced his favorite prophecy his aged eyes hardly focusing on the old scroll of Isaiah he had read so many times. He rolled it up and went to fulfill his duty of burning the altar incense. Every time the lot fell on him to carry out this task, he praised the Lord. “Surely there is no sweeter place than the presence of the Lord,” Zachariah whispered.
   Zechariah entered the house of the Lord slowly and reverently, his mind still repeating Isaiah’s prophecy. He began to place the incense on the altar when he realized he wasn’t alone. There was a man—well, what looked like a man—standing to the right of the altar. But this “man” was terrifying. Zechariah stood frozen, wondering if he would leave alive.
   “Do not be afraid, Zechariah,” the man continued, “your prayer has been heard, and you and your wife, Elizabeth, will have a son who will be great before the Lord.” If not for the fear that paralyzed him, Zechariah’s jaw would have been on the floor. As the man continued speaking, Zechariah’s mind found some traction and began to process the information. “How can this be?” began Zechariah, doubts arising, “My wife and I are old.”
   The man seemed to grow in stature as he spoke, “I am Gabriel. I come from the presence of the Most High to bring you this good news.” Zechariah marveled at what he heard, although a seed of doubt still lingered in his mind. Gabriel continued, “Since you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be unable to speak until this takes place.” Zechariah wanted to plead the case for his doubt, but true to the Messenger’s words he was unable to speak.
   Outside the people were wondering what was causing Zechariah’s delay. Delays in the temple usually were the result of someone breaking from the procedure the Lord had established for entering His presence. All breathed a collective sigh of relief when Zechariah emerged. The questions began, but for some reason Zechariah didn’t answer. Someone mentioned he could have seen a vision.  Zechariah seemed to motion this assumption was correct. Zechariah kept trying to make signs. None seemed to comprehend what he was trying to communicate. The same someone who mentioned the possibility of the vision stated it appeared Zechariah was signaling a voice on a straight path. Zechariah tried to call their attention to this statement, but no one made the connection to Zechariah’s most treasured bit of prophecy.