just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,

And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.

to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.

And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”

Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.

And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,

That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us,

To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.