Luke 1:1-2:52 Summary

The angel Gabriel appeared separately to the elderly Elizabeth and to her younger, virginal cousin Mary, and announced that they would both embark on miraculous pregnancies. When Elizabeth gave birth, she named her son John just as the angel had commanded (1). Mary gave birth to her son in a Bethlehem manger, and shepherds arrived to worship him. Eight days later Mary and Joseph named the baby Jesus just as the angel had commanded and took him to the Temple to be circumcised. The Holy Spirit inspired Simeon and Anna, who had been waiting for the Messiah, to take notice of the child; they praised God and prophesied about him. Jesus’ parents went to the Temple for Passover every year. When Jesus was twelve years old his parents lost him at the festival. They found him three days later interacting with the teachers in the Temple (2).