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Chapter 1

John the Baptist is the primary subject of this chapter, but it also includes Gabriel’s announcement to Mary of the coming baby Jesus. First Gabriel announces to John’s father Zechariah that his wife, though she was “well along in years,” would bear him a son. Then Gabriel was sent to Mary to tell her that she would bear a son, though she was a virgin, whom she should name Jesus. The angel also informs Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, so Mary went to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth had her baby, and on the eighth day he was given the name John as the angel had instructed Zechariah.

Chapter 2

Jesus now takes the stage through His birth in Bethlehem. On that night, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds out in the fields nearby and declared to them the birth of the Messiah; they immediately sought out the child who was lying in a manger. On the eighth day, Mary and Joseph went to the temple to have the child circumcised, and in the temple, Simeon and Anna both beheld the child, rejoicing and prophesying over Him. When the boy had reached twelve, after the Feast of the Passover He stayed behind in the temple courts for three days (unbeknown to His parents), asking and answering questions.