Luke Writes to Theophilus

Many have attempted to write about what had taken place among us.

He will be your pride and joy, and many people will be glad that he was born.

As far as the Lord is concerned, he will be a great man. He will never drink wine or any other liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

He will bring many people in Israel back to the Lord their God.

Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.”

The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long.

When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk.

Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn’t go out in public for five months. She said,

“The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.”

The Angel Gabriel Comes to Mary

Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee.

The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.

She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.

The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.

He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’ve never had sexual intercourse.”

The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.

“Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child.

Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Soon afterward, Mary hurried to a city in the mountain region of Judah.

She said in a loud voice, “You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child that you will have.

I feel blessed that the mother of my Lord is visiting me.

Mary Praises God

Mary said, “My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!

My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,

because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant. “From now on, all people will call me blessed