in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever." 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her home. 2.50 Joseph is Reassured in a Dream MT1:18-25A 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to put her to public shame, was resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel," which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, 25 but did not know her until she had borne a son. 2.60 The Birth of John the Baptist LK 1:57-80 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother said, "No; he shall be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name." 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea; 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 Now his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people, 69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath which he swore to our father Abraham: