Explanatory Preface

Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,

like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.

And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.”

And now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place.”

When he came out, he was not able to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the Holy Place, because he was making signs to them and remained unable to speak.

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

Mary and Elizabeth

In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah,

because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant. For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

He has demonstrated power with his arm; he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up those of lowly position;

All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the Lord’s hand was indeed with him.

For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high

And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.”

But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.

Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple

Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

The Prophecy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”

The Testimony of Anna

There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death.

At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.