God
sent the angel Gabriel as his messenger to Nazareth, to a virgin called
Mary. She was engaged to Joseph, a man from the family of King David. Gabriel
came to Mary and said: Rejoice, Mary! God is with you. He has chosen you.
Mary was afraid and wondered what these words could mean. But Gabriel said:
Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God. God loves you. You
will conceive a child; you will bear a son. You are to give him the name
Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.
Mary
asked: How is this to happen, since I know no man? Gabriel answered her: The
Holy Spirit, the power of the Most High will come over you. For nothing is
impossible to God. Then Mary said: I am the handmaid of the Lord. May what
God wills happen to me.