Show Don't Tell: Luke 1:5-25

Instead of saying "An angel announced John's birth to Zechariah," smell the incense smoke. In the time of Herod king of Judea, there is a priest named Zechariah, married to Elizabeth—both righteous, both blameless, both childless and old. Zechariah's division is on duty; he's chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple. Once in a lifetime honor. The whole assembly is praying outside while incense rises within. Then—an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah is gripped with fear. "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John." He will be great before the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, turn many to God, go before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah. Zechariah: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." Gabriel—standing in the presence of God—responds: "And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words." Zechariah emerges mute. The people realize he's seen a vision. He goes home; Elizabeth conceives; she remains in seclusion five months: "The Lord has done this for me. He has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."