An Angel Visits Mary

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He came to Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to Joseph, who belonged to David’s house.

Gabriel greeted Mary and said that she had found favour with God and that the Lord was with her. Mary was greatly troubled by his greeting and wondered what kind of greeting this was.

Then the angel told her not to be afraid. He said that she would conceive and give birth to a son, and that his name would be Jesus. This son would be great, called the Son of the Most High, receive David’s throne, and reign forever.

Mary asked how this could happen, since she was a virgin. Gabriel answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. Therefore the child would be holy and would be called the Son of God.

Gabriel also told Mary that her relative Elizabeth was expecting a son in her old age, and that she was already in her sixth month. Nothing spoken by God would be impossible. Mary answered that she was the Lord’s servant and accepted what God had said. Then the angel departed from her.