The good news that God would provide a way for sinners to be reconciled to himself was first proclaimed in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised the seed of the woman would be born who would bring victory over sin and its inevitable effects - death. Then the rest of the OT traces this promised seed of God, all the while reminding us of God’s grace and mercy and sovereign plan to provide salvation for sinners and healing for sufferers. In short, the gospel story did not begin with the birth of Jesus – no – the gospel story began long before. And this is why John does not begin is gospel account with the birth of Jesus – he’s wanting his readers to see Jesus not as the beginning of the gospel but how the gospel is embodied and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God!