The scripture for today is the Gospel of Luke chapter 1, verse 26 through 38.

Now please stand for the reading of scripture. Advent ends in celebration,

but it begins in waiting. So we will stand in unbroken silence, identifying with the play of the

prophets, remembering the redemption we still await.

The redemption our world awaits, and the God who promises to come again, bringing heaven to earth.

Then the silence will be broken by the reading of scripture, the written word breaking silence among us,

just as the living word broke the long silence with the birth of Jesus.

Now we wait. Thank you. Thank you. The In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, greetings, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be, but the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

You will conceive and give birth to his son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great,

and will be the son of the most high. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,

and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever.

His kingdom will never end.

How will this be? Mary asked, the angel, since I am a virgin.

The angel answered, the Holy Spirit will come on you.

The power of the Most High will overshadow you.

So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.

Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age.

And she who has said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.

For no word from God will ever fail.

I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered,

may your word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her. This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. So I'd like to begin this morning with a parable of sorts.

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