Sermon - December 24th, 2023 - The Rev. Emily Collette

This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory be to the dear O Lord.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to his town in Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David.

The virgin's name was Mary, and he came to her and said, Greetings, favored one, the

Lord is with you.

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might

be.

The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God, and now

you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give

to him the throne of his ancestor David.

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and in his kingdom there will be no end.

Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin?

The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High

will overshadow you.

Therefore, the child to be born will be holy.

He will be called Son of God.

And now your relative, Elizabeth, and her old age has also conceived a son, and this

is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren, for nothing will be impossible

with God.

Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your

word.

Then the angel departed from her.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

He speaks to you, Christ.

I speak.