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just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
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The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
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But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
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And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
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Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
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When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
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Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
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His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
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He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
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Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
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They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”
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Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
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salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—
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He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
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“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
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So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
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and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
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so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
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Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
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Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
