The Birth of John the Baptist
“And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zacharias said to the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” — Luke 1:16–18 (KJV)
God’s chosen people, the Jews, had grown more concerned with themselves, and in keeping the law given to them through Moses, had failed God. Therefore, when the fullness of time came, God was incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ. In the closing years of the reign of Herod the Great, king of Judaea, part of present-day Palestine, and as a prologue to the birth of Jesus, another holy person was born into the world, to an old, childless, God-fearing couple named Zachariah and Elizabeth. Zachariah was a priest. One day, when he was in the sanctuary of God to burn incense, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that his wife would bear a son, and that he should name him John.
Annunciation — the Arrival of Jesus Christ Announced
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” — Luke 1:28–34 (KJV)
Around the time Elizabeth was about six months pregnant, another visitation by the angel Gabriel took place. This time it was to a young virgin called Mary, who was engaged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of King David, living in the Galilean village of Nazareth. The angel Gabriel explained to Mary how the power of God would work in her, and that she would give birth to Jesus. Mary, being a devout young woman, believed what was told to her by Gabriel and accepted God’s will with humility. In the male-dominated society of those days, Mary’s acceptance of the pregnancy would have brought untold misery to her. But her unwavering faith in God gave her the courage to face up to the situation.
Good News Shared between Mary and Elizabeth
“and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” — Luke 1:40–42 (KJV)
After Gabriel departed, Mary hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leapt. When the time came, Elizabeth gave birth to John; he grew up healthy and blessed by God. John lived in the desert until he began his work for God in Israel, preaching repentance and baptising people in the River Jordan. He became known as John the Baptist.
The Angel Discloses God’s Plan of Salvation to Joseph
“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:19–21 (KJV)
In the meanwhile, Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was distressed when he came to know that Mary was with child. He decided to divorce her quietly, without making her a public spectacle. As he was thinking along these lines, an angel of God spoke to him in a dream and told him that Mary was with child because of the power of God, and that this was in fulfilment of the prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a son. The angel told him that he should not hesitate to accept her as his wife, that he was to name the Child Jesus, and that this would fulfil the prophecy that He would be called Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.”
The Humble Birth of the Son of God, Jesus
“Now it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” — Luke 2:1–7 (KJV)
About the time Jesus was to be born, Caesar Augustus, ruler of the Roman Empire, ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. Everyone was required to be in their ancestral hometown to be accounted for, this being done to collect tax. Joseph, being from Bethlehem, travelled there with Mary. While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. There was no room at the inn; therefore, Mary wrapped the newborn Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. Thus the Son of God had a humble birth on this earth.
The Birth of Jesus Announced to the Shepherds
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” — Luke 2:14 (KJV)
On the night Jesus was born, several shepherds were tending their sheep in the field known as Shepherds’ Field. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; the angel brought them the good news, and a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the stable where Mary was tending to baby Jesus, and remained there for a while, glorifying God.
The Magi (Sages) Pay Homage to Jesus
“And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” — Matthew 2:8 (KJV)
When Jesus was about two years old, a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the east. Having observed a new star and knowing the Scriptures well, they knew about the birth of Jesus. They asked around for His whereabouts, describing Him as the “King of the Jews.” Herod the king summoned them and, pretending that he too wished to worship the Child, asked for details of when the star had appeared, and instructed them to report back once they had found Him.
The scholars left Herod’s palace and found Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph. They offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and fell on their knees and worshipped Him, knowing that He is the Son of God. The scholars knew the real reason for Herod’s interest in Jesus — that Herod considered Jesus a threat to his throne, and might bring some harm to Him. So they left, taking a different route, and did not report back to Herod.
Joseph and Mary Escape to Egypt with Baby Jesus
“Now when they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” — Matthew 2:13–15 (KJV)
After the scholars left, Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream about the possible danger to the child Jesus at the hands of Herod. Joseph was advised to flee with the mother and child to Egypt, and remain there until they were told to return. Joseph did exactly as he was told. When Herod came to know that the scholars had tricked him, he became furious and ordered that every male child two years old and under be killed. A mass murder of innocent children took place in those days.
The Return from Egypt to Nazareth
“But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.” — Matthew 2:19–21 (KJV)
Years later, when Herod died, Joseph was told again, in a dream, to return to Israel. On entering Israel, he came to know that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod, and Joseph greatly feared harm from him. He was told to settle in a Galilean village called Nazareth. Not much is known about the childhood of Jesus; He grew up in wisdom and stature under the care of God-fearing parents, Mary and Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter, and it is generally assumed that Jesus helped him in his work as He grew up.