Sunday Scripture

Matthew 1:18-25

The Nativity of the Messiah

18The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

20But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23See, the virgin will become pregnant

and give birth to a son,

and they will name Him Immanuel,

which is translated “God is with us.”

24When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.

Luke 1:26-38

Gabriel Predicts Jesus’ Birth

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

Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

31Now listen:

You will conceive and give birth to a son,

and you will call His name Jesus.

32He will be great

and will be called the Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give Him

the throne of His father David.

33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and His kingdom will have no end.

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

35The angel replied to her:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore, the holy One to be born

will be called the Son of God.

36And 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. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.”

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