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 wht had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through forgiveness of sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
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 what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.
But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lor God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, his kingdom will never end.
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon 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.
May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ
Accept one another, the, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit