Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth

²⁶ In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel^(A) was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,^{(B) 27} to a virgin engaged^(C) to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.^(D) The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.”^{[a] 29} But she was deeply troubled^(E) by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. ³⁰ Then the angel told her:

³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?”^[b]

³⁵ The angel replied to her:

³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”^(N)

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s slave,”^[c] said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus^[a](A) that the whole empire^[b] should be registered. ² This first registration took place while^[c] Quirinius was governing Syria.^{(B) 3} So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,^{(C) 5} to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him^[d] and was pregnant. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord^(D) stood before^[e] them,^(E) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.^{[f] 10} But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,^(F) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^{[g] 11} Today a Savior,^(G) who is Messiah^(H) the Lord,^(I) was born for you in the city of David. ¹² This will be the sign for you:^(J) You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

¹⁶ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. ¹⁷ After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary was treasuring up all these things^[j] in her heart^(N) and meditating on them. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God^(O) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.