The birth of Jesus was a pre-planned one by the Father. The following are the preparations documented in the gospels:
(1) Angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah, stating the miraculous birth of his son John at the old age of Zachariah and barren Elizabeth. The angel revealed to Zachariah that his son will go before the Messiah “in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord” (Lk 1:17).
(2) Six months after the announcement to Zachariah, Angel Gabriel appeared to Virgin Mary, asserting she will conceive the “Son of the Most High” through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. The angel spoke of Jesus: “The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:33). “The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Lk 1:35).
(3) The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, revealing him the virgin birth of Jesus from Mary through the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit. Joseph should name the child Jesus, and he would save his people from their sins (Mt 1:18-21).
(4) When Mary visited Elizabeth, the infant John received the holy Spirit and leaped in her womb (Lk 1:41).
(5) The Canticle of Mary during his visit to Elizabeth praising God for the wonderful things the Almighty had done for her (Lk 1:48-49). She remembered how God helped Israel fulfilling his merciful promise to the fathers, to Abraham, and to his descendants forever (Lk 1:24-55).
(6) After the circumcision of John, Zachariah regained his speech. “Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea” (Lk 1:65).
(7) When Zechariah recovered from his temporary speech impediment, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied on the mission of his son John and Jesus Christ (Lk 1:67-79).
(8) Emperor Caesar Augustus decreed to took a census in his empire before the birth of Jesus. So, Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem, Joseph’s native place for the enrollment (Lk 2:1-5). That was providential, so Jesus could be born in Bethlehem as fulfillment of the prophesies.
REFLECTION
God the Father sent his son to the world with a mission that he had promised and renewed throughout the human history. The incarnation of the Messiah was not a natural birth or an instantaneous event. The Father prepared the people involved, sending his angel to communicate with them. Without our knowledge, God prepared our parents and situations for our birth. Let us realize the mission God has for us and act accordingly.