*Luke 1:26-56
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will conceive and bear the Son of God, and Mary visits her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant.
- Gabriel’s Visit to Mary:
- The passage begins with the angel Gabriel being sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary who is pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of David.
- Gabriel greets Mary, telling her she is highly favored and that the Lord is with her, which greatly troubles and perplexes her.
- Gabriel’s Announcement:
- The angel reassures Mary, telling her not to be afraid, for she has found favor with God.
- Gabriel announces that Mary will conceive and give birth to a son, whom she is to name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.
- Mary’s Response:
- Mary questions Gabriel, asking how this will happen since she is a virgin.
- Gabriel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
- Mary’s Submission:
- Mary humbly accepts Gabriel’s message, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
- Gabriel departs from Mary after delivering the message.
- Mary Visits Elizabeth:
- Mary travels to a town in the hill country of Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant with a son in her old age.
- When Mary greets Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Mary’s Song of Praise:
- Mary responds with a song of praise known as the Magnificat, exalting God for His mercy, strength, and faithfulness to His people.
- She declares God’s favor upon her and praises Him for His mighty deeds and the reversal of fortunes for the humble and oppressed.
- Mary’s Stay with Elizabeth:
- Mary remains with Elizabeth for about three months before returning home.
1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 1:55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.