Jesus’ virgin birth is not the first miraculous birth in the Christmas story. Months before, another baby boy was born to parents who thought they could never have children. Their barrenness was not because they were unfaithful; no, it was because God had a greater plan – He was writing a more beautiful story than they could have ever imagined. And so a child was born, promised and delivered by God. 

He was to be the forerunner of the Christ. He was the prophesied return of Elijah. The one who would “make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” 

Throughout the Old Testament, anytime the presence of the Lord was going to be made manifest in the people’s midst, there was much preparation. Chapters upon chapters are dedicated to the preparations for the Tabernacle and the Temple. This time, however, it was not a building that needed to be prepared – but a people. 

You see, the Jewish people, although expecting the Messiah for centuries, had expected quite the wrong type of Messiah. Therefore, they needed preparation. They needed someone who would lead them in understanding what they really needed saving from, what the kingdom that the Messiah was bringing in would really be like. John was sent as the one who would start turning the eyes of the people away from their own assumptions and desires, toward the glory that God was really bringing in – His presence made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ. 

This story can remind us of three things. First, like every other part of the Christmas story, the miraculous birth of John reminds us that God’s plan is better than ours could ever be. Oh, the years that Zechariah and Elizabeth must have waited and prayed. There were probably points where they looked at their lives and all they saw was disappointment and shame. But through it all, God had the most beautiful, joyous story that He was writing. It may not have been in the time frame they would have preferred, but it was all for a reason. These are truths we might hear often repeated, but let this story remind you of them again. God’s story is greater than we could ever imagine, even when we can’t yet see how it all works out. 

Secondly, let John’s message remind you to turn your eyes from your own assumptions and desires, toward the truth and glory that is in the person of Jesus Christ. Prepare your heart to receive Him this Christmas season. He may not be who you expect Him to be, and He may not do what you desire Him to do – but I promise that He is exactly who you need, and will do for you exactly what you need if you will only surrender to Him. 

Lastly, just as the people had to be prepared for His first coming, people need to be prepared for Jesus’ return. And who are called to prepare the way – the hearts – now? It is us, the Church. We are forerunners to Jesus’ second coming. We are called to go tell the nations. We are called to turn their eyes to the kingdom of heaven, the ultimate glory that God is bringing in through His Son – the new heaven and new earth. 

We must remember, it is not our way – our anybody else’s way – that we are preparing. It is the Lord’s way. It is His Gospel. His kingdom. His glory.  

And I trust that as the Holy Spirit prepares us, we will then prepare others, who will prepare others, who will prepare others…on and on until the Messiah returns. 

Is your heart prepared to receive Jesus and His blessings this season?