CMP Review 2026-01-25

“The rise of Christianity was preceded by a long period of four hundred years, during which prophecy was silent,” writes J. R. Dummelow. “The advent of Christ was heralded by a great revival of prophecy, and by the restoration of direct communications from God to man through supernatural agency, as in the cases of Zacharias, Joseph, Mary, Elisabeth, Simeon, Anna, the shepherds, the Magi, and, in particular, John the Baptist, who, though he left no written prophecies, and worked no miracle, was declared by our Lord to be the greatest of the prophets, yea, and more than a prophet.”

Charlotte Mason highlighted the angelic encounter with Zechariah. She comments that “Zacharias met with grave rebuke, and a punishment was inflicted upon him, a punishment which gave pause to his thoughts and afforded him, we may believe, a time for blesséd contemplation.”

Let the story of Zechariah touch your heart through Charlotte Mason’s poetry. May it lead you to your own “time for blesséd contemplation.” Find it here.

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