Study Desk

And Zechariah said to the angel, "By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years!"

And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and began to wonder when he was delayed in the temple.

Now after these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying,

"Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which he has concerned himself with me, to take away my disgrace among people."

And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And behold, your relative Elizabeth—she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren.

For nothing will be impossible with God."

For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!

because he has looked upon the humble state of his female slave, for behold, from now on all generations will consider me blessed,

because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for generation after generation to those who fear him.

Now the time came for Elizabeth that she should give birth, and she gave birth to a son.

and he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, saying, "John is his name." And they were all astonished.

And all those who heard kept these things in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be? For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him!"

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

And so you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways,

And it happened that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people:

that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.