1 Michael chose Earth for his final incarnation. Gabriel chose the Jews as having the best all round family life, and Mary and Joseph because of their social status and genetic inheritance. Josephs lineage went back to Abraham, and Mary’s even further, including Eve.
2 Mary’s distant cousin was Elizabeth, whose husband was Zacharias. They never had kids, but wanted them. Gabriel appeared to Elizabeth. He told her that she and Zacharias were going to have a baby boy, and to name him John. He would prepare the way for the coming savior.
3 Elizabeth and Zacharias didn’t know what to believe. Then Elizabeth got pregnant, and their greatest dream was realized. They started to believe Gabriel. John, later known as John the Baptist, was born in the City of Judah on March 25, 7 B.C. The parents were proud and happy.
4 Four months before John was born, Gabriel had appeared to Mary. He told her that she was pregnant, that the pregnancy was blessed by God, that she and Joseph were to name their son Joshua, and that he would bring forth the kingdom of heaven on Earth and among men.
5 Mary realized she was pregnant, so she went to see Elizabeth. After comparing stories, her and Joseph believed Gabriel’s message. He’d waited until after Mary conceived before appearing to her. There was no virgin birth. Jesus was born into the world just like the rest of us.
6 Joseph was an easy-going thoughtful guy who sometimes got discouraged. Mary was more outgoing, with the stronger personality. She won the arguments. From his dad Jesus got his deep love for people, and from his mom his righteous indignation at offending God.
7 Mary and Joseph wed in Nazareth in March 8 B.C. A year later, Caesar Augustus ordered a census in Palestine. Mary and Joseph left for Bethlehem to register on August 18. They lodged in the stable’s grain room at an Inn. Jesus was born the next morning, August 21, 7 B.C.
8 There was nothing supernatural about the event. Some priests did come and visit Mary and left gifts, but because Zacharias had told them about Jesus. The story of the star of Bethlehem resulted from a normal lining up of the planets that happened three times that year.
9 When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus at the temple, they were surprised when some people sang a song praising Jesus as the coming savior. Zacharias had set that up without telling Mary and Joseph. The family’s secret about Jesus was now out, and his parents were concerned.
10 Herod the Idumean ruled Palestine. Now he knew the Jew’s savior had been born. Herod wanted Jesus dead. He got impatient and decided to kill all baby boys under two years old. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus escaped to Alexandria, Egypt, and hid out there for two years.
Okay everyone, those are the highlights of Son of Man, Chapter 1, “The Birth and Infancy of Jesus.” This week’s Chapter 2 is, “The Early Childhood of Jesus.” Enjoy, my friends, and have a super week.