Luke 1:26-56

In the sixth month of her pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a young girl called Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. The angel greeted her. “You are very privileged,” he told her. “The Lord is with you.” Mary was very puzzled at what he said, and wondered what this greeting meant. “Don't worry, Mary,” the angel went on, “for God has shown his graciousness to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You shall call him Jesus. He will be very great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never come to an end.” “How is this possible?” Mary asked. “I'm still a virgin.” He replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you. The baby who is to be born is holy, and will be called the Son of God. And Elizabeth, your relative, even she is pregnant in her old age. The woman that people said couldn't have children is already six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible for God.” “Here I am, ready to be the Lord's servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me just as you said.” Then the angel left her. A little while later, Mary got herself ready and hurried up into the hills of Judea, to the town where Zechariah's house was. She called out to Elizabeth as she went in. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby jumped for joy inside her. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out in a loud voice: “How blessed you are among women, and how blessed will be the child born to you! Why am I so honored that the mother of my Lord should visit me? As soon as I heard you call out in greeting, my baby jumped for joy inside me. How fortunate you are, because you are convinced that the Lord will do what he has promised you!” Mary replied, “How I praise the Lord! I am so happy with God my Savior, because he decided that I, his servant, was worthy of his consideration, despite my humble background. From now on every generation will say I was blessed. God Almighty has done great things for me; his name is holy. His mercy lasts for generation after generation to those who respect him. With his power he has broken to pieces those who arrogantly think they're so clever. He tears the powerful down from their thrones, and elevates those who are humble. He fills the hungry with good things to eat, and he sends the rich away empty-handed. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering him in mercy, just as he promised our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants for ever.” Mary stayed with her for three months and then returned home.