BROADCASTS.com

LUKE 1:26-55\n\nThe Birth of Jesus Foretold\n26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin\u2019s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, \u201cGreetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.\u201d \n29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, \u201cDo not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.\u201d \n34 \u201cHow will this be,\u201d Mary asked the angel, \u201csince I am a virgin?\u201d \n35 The angel answered, \u201cThe Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.\u201d \n38 \u201cI am the Lord\u2019s servant,\u201d Mary answered. \u201cMay it be to me as you have said.\u201d Then the angel left her.\nMary Visits Elizabeth\n39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah\u2019s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary\u2019s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: \u201cBlessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!\u201d\n\nMary\u2019s Song\n46 And Mary said: \n\u201cMy soul glorifies the Lord \n47\tand my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, \n48\tfor he has been mindful \nof the humble state of his servant. \nFrom now on all generations will call me blessed, \n49\tfor the Mighty One has done great things for me\u2014 \nholy is his name. \n50\tHis mercy extends to those who fear him, \nfrom generation to generation. \n51\tHe has performed mighty deeds with his arm; \nhe has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. \n52\tHe has brought down rulers from their thrones \nbut has lifted up the humble. \n53\tHe has filled the hungry with good things \nbut has sent the rich away empty. \n54\tHe has helped his servant Israel, \nremembering to be merciful \n55\tto Abraham and his descendants forever, \neven as he said to our fathers.\u201d