"In the sixth month,
a town in Galilee,
to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,
The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel went to her and said,
`Greetings, you who are highly favored!
The Lord is with you.
' Mary was greatly troubled
at his words and wondered
what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her,`
Do not be afraid, Mary,
you have found favor with God.
You will be with child and give birth to a son,
and you are to give Him
the 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 father David,
and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever;
His kingdom will never end.'
`How will this be,
" Mary asked the angel,`since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered,
`The 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.
Even Elizabeth your relative
is going to have a child in her old age,
and she who was barren is in her sixth month.
For nothing is impossible with God.'
`I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered.
`May it be to me as you have said.
' Then the angel left her.
>Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Mary went to visit her relative
where she found she was able to praise
God with her relativewhen they rejoiced together
for the miracle God had done
for both of them.
And Mary said:
`My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God
my Savior,
for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will called me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me
- holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the ruch away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful to Abraham
and his descendants forever,
even as He said to our fathers.