Luke 1:26-56

26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

27to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

28And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”

29But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.

30Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

31Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

34Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”

35The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

36And consider your relative Elizabeth — even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless.

37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

38“See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

39In those days Mary set out and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah

40where she entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped inside her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42Then she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and your child will be blessed!

43How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For you see, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped for joy inside me.

45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!”

46And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord,

47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,

49because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and his name is holy.

50His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him.

51He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts;

52he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

53He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

54He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy

55to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he spoke to our ancestors.

56And Mary stayed with her about three months; then she returned to her home.