Luke 1:26-56

The birth of Jesus was announced -- Luke 1:26-56: A month after the announcement of John's birth God sent Gabriel to Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. They were both from the house or family of David. The angel greeted Mary saying, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." The angel told Mary that God was pleased with her and that she would have a male child. He said, "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:32-33) Mary reminded the angel that she was not even married. She was told, "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." As proof the angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was expecting a child and that "Nothing is impossible for God!" Mary simply yielded to God as His humble servant. Soon Mary made a visit to Elizabeth. Mary received additional confirmation from her. "When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" God blessed Mary, Her child Jesus and the entire world through Him. Mary was blessed because she believed that God would keep His promises. In Luke 1:46-55 we have a great song of praise for God from Mary. "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." (Luke 1:46-55)