Luke 1:26–56

The Coming Birth of Jesus

26In the sixth month after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. 27He was sent to a virgin. The girl was engaged to a man named Joseph. He came from the family line of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel greeted her and said, “The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you.”

29Mary was very upset because of his words. She wondered what kind of greeting this could be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. 31You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago. 33He will rule forever over his people, who came from Jacob’s family. His kingdom will never end.”

34“How can this happen?” Mary asked the angel. “I am a virgin.”

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God. 36Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now. 37Nothing is impossible with God.”

38“I serve the Lord,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me just as you said it would.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in Judea’s hill country. 40There she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby inside her jumped. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! 43But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me? 44As soon as I heard the sound of your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy. 45You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done!”

Mary’s Song

46Mary said,

“My soul gives glory to the Lord.

47 My spirit delights in God my Savior.

48 He has taken note of me

even though I am not important.

From now on all people will call me blessed.

49 The Mighty One has done great things for me.

His name is holy.

50 He shows his mercy to those who have respect for him,

from parent to child down through the years.

51 He has done mighty things with his arm.

He has scattered those who are proud in their deepest thoughts.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.

But he has lifted up people who are not important.

53 He has filled those who are hungry with good things.

But he has sent those who are rich away empty.

54 He has helped the people of Israel, who serve him.

He has always remembered to be kind

55 to Abraham and his children down through the years.

He has done it just as he said to our people of long ago.”

56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she returned home.