Oh,
how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,”
the angel told her,
“for you have found favor with God!
You will conceive
and give birth to a son,
and you will name him Jesus.”
“So the baby to be born will be holy,
and he will be called the Son of God.”
Mary responded,
“I am the Lord’s servant.
May everything you have said about me
come true.”
Zachariah and Elizabeth
were righteous in God’s eyes,
careful to obey all of the LORD’s commandments
and regulations.
One day Zachariah was serving God in the Temple…
…the angel said,
“Don’t be afraid, Zachariah!
God has heard your prayer.
Your wife,
Elizabeth,
will give you a son,
and you are to name him John.
…He will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even before his birth.
He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah.
He will prepare the people
for the coming of the Lord…”