An Angel Tells about the Birth of Jesus

1 ²⁶ One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee ²⁷ with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. ²⁸ The angel greeted Mary and said, "You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you." ²⁹ Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. ³⁰ Then the angel told Mary, "Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, ³¹ and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. ³³ He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end." ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen? I am not married!" ³⁵ The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come down to you, and God’s power will come over you. So your child will be called the holy Son of God. ³⁶ Your relative Elizabeth is also going to have a son, even though she is old. No one thought she could ever have a baby, but in three months she will have a son. ³⁷ Nothing is impossible for God!" ³⁸ Mary said, "I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said." And the angel left her.