The announcement of the birth of Jesus
 26In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent 27to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28The angel came to her and said: 
—Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you. 
29Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. 
30But the angel said: 
—Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. 31You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. 32He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever 33and his reign shall have no end.
34Then Mary said to the angel: 
—How can this be if I am a virgin? 
35And the angel said to her: 
—The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. 36Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. 37With God nothing is impossible.
38Then Mary said: 
—I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said. 
And the angel left her.

THE CONCISE BIBLE
Christian Community Bible 
Catholic Pastoral Edition

Copyright © 2002 by Claretian Publications
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Originally published by
Ediciones Mensajero, Spain