We normally celebrate birthdays. The family rejoices at the news from the doctor who comes out of delivery room to announce the successful delivery of a baby. People are normally jubilant on occasions such as these. Similarly, there is joy in the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They all realized the import of this birth. It was the Archangel Gabriel who announced it. So, that is also the question that hangs at the birth of anyone and of everyone. It is about a hope in the newborn. With him or her, God always sends tidings of comfort and joy.

Let us praise God for the gifts we have received.

Today, the Holy Catholic Church presents to us again the annunciation of Joseph during his sleep. Let us appreciate sleep all the more by listening to the homily.

God's Providence is in full display in the gospel of today. Explore the nuances of the familiar scene of the Annunciation.

Today's gospel tells us about the version of the annunciation in the case of the parents of John the Baptist. These details are brought up to the fore for us so that we appreciate that God intervened in our history to get his Son to arrive here. A certain preparation had to be put into place. That was the role of John. Hence, the details regarding his appearance should be mentioned for us to learn certain lessons discussed in the homily.

Today's gospel tells us about the involvement of St. Joseph in the coming of Jesus Christ in our world. Jesus' conception was virginal, i.e., He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. St. Joseph, then, was supposed to do what?

We read today from chapter of one of St. Matthew his famous genealogy of Jesus Christ to prove to his compatriots that Jesus is the promised messiah. He is the son of David, the rightful heir to David's throne. So, he comes out with this genealogy showing us God's efforts through celebrated figures who were sinners and even gentile in origin His desire to get His Son to be born of the Woman, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today, the gospel tells us about the unfortunate difference between those who eventually trust and follow the plan of God and those who although they initially follow Him later on renege on their loyalty.

Witness how Our dear Lord Jesus Christ unmasks the dispositions of the religious authorities in the Temple of Jerusalem. Because they had other things in mind, they failed miserably in getting from Our Lord the information they wanted. They were not forthright in thinking straight and honestly. They opted to be politically correct, we may say.

Let us continue preparing for the coming of the Lord! The gospel today tells us about the doubts of St. John the Baptist. How well he handles it!