“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David”
– Luke 1:1-55

Child of Mary, Son of God

Our scripture references for our study include: Luke 1:1-55

Dedication to Theophilus

[Lk 1:1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that * have been accomplished among us, [2] * just as those who * from the beginning were * eyewitnesses and * ministers of * the word * have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write * an orderly account for you, * most excellent * Theophilus, [4] that you may have * certainty concerning the things * you have been taught.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

[5] * In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, * * of * the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. [6] And they were both * righteous before God, walking * blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. [7] But they had no child, because * Elizabeth was barren, and * both were advanced in years.

[8] Now * while he was serving as priest before God when * his division was on duty, [9] according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot * to enter * the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And the whole multitude of the people * were praying * outside at the hour of incense. [11] And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of * the altar of incense. [12] And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and * fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for * your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and * you shall call his name John. [14] And you will have joy and gladness, and many will * rejoice at his birth, [15] for he will be * great before the Lord. And * he must not drink wine or strong * drink, and * he will be * filled with the Holy Spirit, * even from his mother’s womb. [16] And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, [17] and * he will 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 for the Lord a people prepared.”

[18] And Zechariah said to the angel, * “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” [19] And the angel answered him, “I am * Gabriel. * I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. [20] And behold, * you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” [21] And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in * the temple. [22] And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in * the temple. And * he kept making signs to them and remained mute. [23] And * when his time of * service was ended, he went to his home.

[24] After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, [25] “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, * to take away my reproach among people.”

Birth of Jesus Foretold

[26] In the sixth month the angel * Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named * Nazareth, [27] * to a virgin betrothed * to a man whose name was Joseph, * of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, * O favored one, * the Lord is with you!” * [29] But * she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for * you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, * you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and * you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of * the Most High. And the Lord God * will give to him the throne of * his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob * forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

[34] And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” *

[35] And the angel answered her, * “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 called * holy— * the Son of God. [36] And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her * who was called barren. [37] For * nothing will be impossible with God.” [38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant * of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And * the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

[39] In those days Mary arose and went with haste into * the hill country, to a town in Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. [41] And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth * was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, * “Blessed are you among women, and * blessed is * the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted to me that the mother of * my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] And * blessed is she who believed that there would be * a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

[46] And Mary said,

* “My * soul * magnifies the Lord,

[47] * and my * spirit rejoices in * God my Savior,

[48] for * he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations * will call me blessed;

[49] for * he who is mighty * has done great things for me,

and * holy is his name.

[50] And * his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

[51] * He has shown strength with his arm;

* he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

[52] * he has brought down the mighty from their thrones

* and exalted those of humble estate;

[53] he has filled * the hungry with good things,

and the rich * he has sent away empty.

[54] He has * helped * his servant Israel,

* in remembrance of his mercy,

[55] * as he spoke to our fathers,

* to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”