John was a miracle baby who was gifted to the old couple Zachariah and Elizabeth, as we discussed last week. The coming of John into their lives was indeed a great gift and favour from God, lifting their ordeal of being barren. “John” means “God’s gift.” John...

  Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin and her priestly husband, Zachariah, were elderly and past childbearing age. For Elizabeth it was a painful time as women’s values were measured by their ability to have children. But both Elizabeth and Zachariah remained faithful to...

  Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth. He was a man of integrity, honour, and uprightness. Joseph was engaged to a virgin called Mary. When Joseph heard that Mary was pregnant, he planned to break off their engagement quietly and not disgrace her by...

As we approach Christmas, it seems fitting and good that we examine the lives of the characters who were so deeply involved around the Christmas story. We’ll commence with Mary who was the only person present at Jesus’ birth in a very humble place, as well as being...