At the time that Herod the Great was king in Judea, there was a priest by the name Zacharias, and the name of his wife was Elisabeth. They were both righteous before God; but they had no children, and both were now old. One day while Zacharias was offering incense in the Holy Place, and the people were praying without, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him. And fear fell upon Zacharias; but the angel said unto him: Fear not, Zacharias, for thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear a son, and thou shalt call his name John[3]. He shall go before His face in the spirit and power of Elijah, and make ready for the Lord a people prepared for Him. Zacharias said: Whereby shall I know this? The angel answered: I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God. Behold, thou shalt be dumb until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou didst not believe my words. (Luke 1:5-25.) ----- Footnote 3: Which means: The Lord is gracious. ----- And Elisabeth brought forth a son. Her neighbors and kinsfolk would have him called Zacharias after his father; but his mother said: He shall be called John. They said: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, and he took a tablet and wrote: His name is John. And immediately his mouth was opened, and he blessed God in a glorious song of praise. And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day when he stood forth before the people of Israel. (Luke 1:57-80.) 52. The Annunciation of Mary In the sixth month after Gabriel had appeared to Zacharias he was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. There dwelt a virgin of the house of David, and her name was Mary. She was betrothed to a man of the house of David, and his name was Joseph. And the angel came in unto Mary and said: Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! But Mary was greatly troubled at this saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. Thou shalt bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.[4] Then Mary said: How shall this be, seeing I am not married? The angel answered: The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the Holy One which is born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And Mary said: Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38.) ----- Footnote 4: Which means Savior. ----- 53. The Birth of the Savior