The Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth to Mary

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel is sent by God to Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary, engaged to Joseph, of the house of David. “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.” Troubled, Mary learns that she will bear a son and call his name Jesus: he will be called the Son of the Highest, will receive the throne of David, and of his kingdom there will be no end. “How shall this be?” she asks. The Holy Spirit will come upon her, the angel answers, and he gives her a sign: Elizabeth, her relative who was called barren, is expecting a son, “for with God nothing shall be impossible.” Mary surrenders: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” She hurries off to Elizabeth, whose baby leaps in her womb, and then sings: “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”