A new beginning....

A new beginning....

I loved this title for the end of the year devotion...am sharing again from Ray Stedman...

We can begin each day with a new beginning....each year with a new beginning....we can pledge to be better or be stuck in the old attitudes, actions, worries...

Christ wants us transformed, renewed in mind and spirit...and He does it...no ourselves...thank YOU...

This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:16,18-19

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10,12 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

A New Beginning

A daily devotion for December 31st

From your friends at RayStedman.org

Read: Job 42:16-17

After this Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years. Job 42:16-17

The book of Job ends on a note of contentment and peace. Job was probably about seventy when the book opens, so he is an old man. What a picture of peace, a contented man. God had greatly blessed him. Before us stretches a new year, a new beginning. The old is past, put away forever. God invites us always to forget about all the distrust and fears, all the anxieties of the past, all the resentments we have been holding against others, all the grudges, all the criticisms--to put them away and begin again. The question that hovers over us as we close this book (and I feel it deeply in my own heart) is, “On what basis am I going to live in this new year? Will it be on the old basis of it-all-depends-on-me, do-it-yourself goodness before God, trying my best to be pleasing to God and meaning it with all my heart but never realizing the depths of evil with which I have to deal?” Or will I accept the gift of God that is waiting for me every day, fresh from His hand, a gift of forgiveness, of righteousness already mine, of a relationship in which He is my dear Father and I am his cherished, beloved son, and in which I therefore have provided for me all I need, all day long, so that I may say no to evil and yes to truth and right? Will it be on that basis? If it is, this will be a year in which my life will be characterized by peace, fragrance, and beauty. And so will yours. Or, if we insist on living it on the same old basis, we will find ourselves like these friends of Job, arousing the anger and the wrath of God. Though He is patient and merciful, our only escape will be to repent of our evil and rest upon the righteousness of our perfect substitute and return to God for the blessing that He is waiting to give. That is the choice before us, every one of us. How are we going to live in this new year? Lord, thank You for this new year that lies before me. I choose You. I choose to depend on You, trust You, and accept from Your hand all that You would give me.

Life Application

Before us stretches a new year, a new beginning. The old is past, put away forever. On which one of the two bases are we going to live in this new year?

Related Message

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The New Beginning

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That’s Jesus....

That’s Jesus....

February, 2012, my journal is marked with a song that woke me in the early hours...”this is Jesus “...we were three months into a five month journey of brain cancer...everyday was different...a new challenge, a new health change, a new “everything” it seemed...”my “ strength was not my own, but Jesus’...I journaled as I could before each day began...trying to to keep my head above water...

Matthew 21:11 says “this is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee”...

Song...no tune...

“This is Jesus, Counselor, the Righteous one, the Living Word...

This is Jesus, the Son of man, the Son of God, Emmanuel...

This is Jesus, Redeemer, the compassionate One, the Lord of all...

This is Jesus, teacher, faithful, gentle, true...

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace...

This is Jesus, prayerful One, Alpha, Omega, this is Jesus...

Refuge, Fortress, Strength, Shield, this is Jesus...

Beloved, Messiah, healer and friend...the Light, the Vine, the Bread of Life...this is Jesus...”

I awoke this morning with that same song...then heard this following song in my head as well...don’t remember hearing it before, but must have...by Randy Travis..” That’s Jesus”

A good way to start the day....thank YOU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xHU1yi9c3w

When I wake up in the morning, put my feet on the floor

I thank Him for the day that He gave me one more

I give Him all the praise, the one that I adore

That's Jesus, oh that's Jesus I was lost and alone, my heart in need of help

I found enternal life and lost my fear of death

Because I know the author of my every breath

That's Jesus, oh that's Jesus God  of glory, majesty

The Holy One who died for me

Who's the One I long to see

That's Jesus, oh that's Jesus

If you're a soul that's lost and in need of direction

You wonder when you die if you'll go to Heaven

Well friend I found the answer to that very question

That's Jesus, oh that's Jesus.

God of glory, majesty

The Holy One who died for me

Who's the One I long to see

That's Jesus, oh that's Jesus, that’s Jesus, oh that’s Jesus...

For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:31-33 

Christmas past...

Christmas past...

The little tree stands in a corner forlorn

No lights or ornaments adorn,

The Christmas shelves are piled in disarray, 

The clearance signs on display..

The wrappings fill the bags,

The opened packages, some still with tags, 

Litter the house..,

On to new activities, sleds and sleighs, tv specials, vacation days, return travels, thanks again...we close out Christmas, the end....

The solitary nativity stands as a reminder of why we celebrate...the forgotten child, in the manger lay...boxed again for another day...

We reminisce the days gone by in letters sent far and wide...write the last check for giving this year...maybe even shed a tear for memories lain dormant for wonderful times, families here and there...

The days fly by it seems, the days past,a parting dream...then we forward look, working ahead on our planning book...already adding appointments, birthday’s, thoughts for the tomorrows coming soon...how will we make room...for the celebrated Christ child we quickly forgot in the midst of Christmas past...in the wrappings, trappings of the “holidays “...help us to hear His voice when he quietly knocks to lead the way in each new day...

Thank YOU...

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. 

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 

There are times when it just hurts....

There are times when it just hurts....

Having been a widow now for 7 1/2 years, the pain of loss still hits like a bomb once in a while.  I have worked hard emotionally to move on, to carry on with joy, with growth, with encouragement to others, not burdening others and myself with being “stuck” in various places of grief...but, there are times when it just hurts...

Not that you want your partner back with their pain or disease, you desire them back whole, no pain, no cancer...you want life back to “normal”...whatever that looks like...

Its when you continually are surrounded by couple oriented events...when you see something you shared and you want to comment on it to them...or when a child/grandchild is involved with a significant event... or a new grandchild arrives and they won’t know their grandparent...or you want their touch, a hug, holding hands, their encouragement, a talk over breakfast, a laugh, just something common and ordinary that you took for granted when they were alive...not the aloneness that can quench our souls...

There are times when tears come unbidden, wanting to have their way for awhile, memories flooding the mind, the self pity rolls in like a stormy black cloud...

I give in to those moments, wishing they would bring the loved one back or thinking about the “might have been or the what if’s”...but, I can’t live there...it isn’t real...I don’t want to model that lifestyle...

The God of all has become my husband...his joy is my strength...his Love wraps around me like a cloak, I am comforted by his Word in the darkest of times...he has prayed and intercedes for me...he has said there is a time for everything...he has granted me every spiritual blessing in Christ...and so very much more...thank YOU...

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3 

For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

Isaiah 54:5 

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3:4 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. 

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6 

Lights on Christmas Eve...

Lights on Christmas Eve...

Last night I attended a Christmas Eve service which closed with the lighting of candles....lights in the darkened sanctuary...held up to proclaim the light of Christ in a dark world...or to proclaim the light of Christ...actually there are a lot of symbols of candles...as I found out looking it up...

But, when I thought about it, from the beginning of the Word to the end, Genesis to Revelations ...light is God..he created light for us, separated it from dark ...just like good and evil...

Through the end  where there is no need for the created lights, because God in his radiance lights the city...He is the light...which we need to follow ...as the Israelites did leaving Egypt...

Later, those shepherds out in the field saw the Glory of the Lord shown around them ...or the magi following a star, which must have been magnificent... leading them to the child, Jesus...the creator of light and who was light himself...

It boggles the mind...all the twists and turns, the symbolism, the simplicity...Jesus is the light, we are to be lights....we burn candles to show that light burns in the darkness...from the darkest place...God see all because He is light...thank YOU....for being my light...for being the world’s light...let me walk in the light of your presence....

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:3-4 

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 13:21-22 

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 18:28 

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Psalm 89:15

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130

 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

Proverbs 20:27 

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2:5 

“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,

Isaiah 42:6 

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Matthew 4:16

There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Matthew 17:2 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:9-11 

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:4-5 

5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 9:5 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Ephesians 5:8-9

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7 

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 21:23,22:5 

https://www.elyrics.net/read/s/sidewalk-prophets-lyrics/hope-was-born-this-night-lyrics.html

http://christmas.fundootimes.com/christmas-symbols/candles.html

Readings other than Matthew/Luke for Christmas...

Readings other than Matthew/Luke for Christmas...

We have read the Matthew/Luke version for Christmas forever...

The following verses tell the Christmas Story as well and the whys of it, too... 

• Isaiah 7:14 NIV
• Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
• For to us a child is born,
•     to us a son is given,
•     and the government will be on his shoulders.
• And he will be called
•     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
• 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
•     there will be no end.
• He will reign on David’s throne
•     and over his kingdom,
• establishing and upholding it
•     with justice and righteousness
•     from that time on and forever.
• The zeal of the Lord Almighty
•     will accomplish this.
• Isaiah 11:1-5 NIV A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
•     from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
• 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
•     the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
•     the Spirit of counsel and of might,
•     the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
• 3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
  
  He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
•     or decide by what he hears with his ears;
• 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
•     with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
• He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
•     with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
• 5 Righteousness will be his belt
•     and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
• Micah 5:2 NIV
• “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
•     though you are small among the clans of Judah,
• out of you will come for me
•     one who will be ruler over Israel,
• whose origins are from of old,
•     from ancient times.”
• Matthew 1:21 NIV
• She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
• Matthew 1:23 NIV
• “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 
• Luke 1:30-31 NIV
  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
• Luke 1:37 ESV
•  For nothing will be impossible with God.

• Luke 1:45 NIV
•  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
• Luke 2:10-14 NIV
  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
• John 3:16 NIV
  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
•  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
• Galatians 4:4-5 NIV
• But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
• Philippians 2:8-10 NIVAnd being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
• Titus 3:4-5 NLT 
• But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

I wanted to add the following...God’s word is true, everlasting, with purpose...thank YOU for this season, the reason for celebration...

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: 

It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

https://heathercking.org/2014/12/22/christmas-bible-verses/

Heather includes a Christmas prayer on her website as well...

Praise through tragedy....

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/finding-praise-through-pain-in-i-heard-the-bells-on-christmas-day.html?utm_source=today%27s+topical+bible+study&utm_campaign=today%27s+topical+bible+study+-+biblestudytools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3028530&bcid=dad4cb6ffa9cb8224d8b23b17fc6f551&recip=488704412+


I read this early this morning and wanted to share...
Many of us have been there...those times when we wonder how we can praise...give thanks in the midst of pain or tragedy...

This man turned to writing to heal...to pen a poem  which ended in praise...


Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Thank YOU that we can come to you at anytime, any season, for any reason...

Paul Harvey...a Christmas story...

Paul Harvey, a Christmas story....

https://mvotd.com/paul-harvey-a-christmas-story-the-man-and-the-birds_fbfec9e24.html

Listening to this man and his wonderful story telling was a voice from the past...

Where we lived for many years, the radio served as our news, music, entertainment...

Paul Harvey came on everyday at noon...his distinctive voice filling the air, news, down to earth quips, calmness in the midst of trouble memorable...but, his stories at different times of the year or “the rest of the story” were my favorite times...

This story of the man and the birds was especially touching...at Christmas time...when there is so much commercialism we forget the real Reason for the season...Christ leaving his heavenly realm to live amongst humanity, his creation...to show himself with us desiring to lead us to safety through His birth, life, death and resurrection...for us to believe, trust, repent, follow Him...

https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=Y6DK67NX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO7ySn-Swwc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9GtPX6c_kg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJgJVF7pSBQ

The book of Luke, tells the story so well...of Christ...his life...it is repeated in hundreds of languages in the Jesus Film Project to use all over the world...

The Book of John, tells the story as well as does Mark and Matthew, each from a different perspective...for all the world to come to the saving grace of Christ...this Savior for all...

Thank YOU for your salvation, your Lordship, your everlasting Love...You bring us to our knees in humble, ecstatic adoration...as You did so long ago with humble shepherds and mighty magi...

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:1-11 

Firstborn...

First born....

My husband would hold our children from infancy on his lap as he read the Bible each morning...(giving me time to either get dressed or fix breakfast)..

One morning, our oldest was in the “reach out and grabbing stage” grabbed a page of the Bible, pulled and ripped out a verse...

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),

Luke 2:23 

We carefully pried it out of his pudgy little hand, smoothed it out, and finally were able to tape that portion back into my husband’s Bible...where it remains ...

We were were amazed that the portion he pulled out was “about “ him...the first born...

In continuing to read in Luke and Matthew, the accounts of John the Baptist and the Birth of Christ...both were “first born”...to Elizabeth and Mary...one in her old age and one to a young virgin...both so blessed because of the circumstances and promises made to them by angels...both fulfilled prophecy...one whose “disgrace” of childlessness was taken away...and most likely one who was publicly disgraced because of her marital status...they were relatives and helpful to one another...

Elizabeth’s baby acknowledged Mary’s child as did Elizabeth while in the womb...

Elizabeth got to stay at home and have hers...Mary had to walk for days because of the census to a strange town to have hers...no neighbors to help, but “lowly shepherds” and a manger...

Both had their babies named for them... and both babies already had jobs, ministries or duties to preform...

We wonder as the boys grew did they play with each other...know one another...if Zechariah and Elizabeth were aged, did they see John to adulthood, know of his ministry, his end...

We know Mary was at the cross to see her firstborn’s crucifixion, given to another to care for... what grieving she must have gone through...even as she knew his ministry from the beginning...

Thank YOU that you blessed these two women...they were obedient in their lives...but, thank YOU for their sons and the ministries they were sent to preform...thank YOU for sending a Savior ...as we celebrate this Christmas season...He is the real reason for this season...

“Consecrate to me every firstborn male. 

The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. 

All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord.

Exodus 13:2,12 

But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. 

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. 

He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 

He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 1:7,11-17 

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. 

The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. 

So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 

Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:26-37

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Luke 1:39-45