The Annunciation
The angel Gabriel is sent to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a girl engaged to a man of David's line, and greets her as one who is favoured. Mary is described as greatly troubled — not by the appearance but by the greeting, and by working out what sort of greeting it might be.
She is told she will bear a son and name him Jesus. Her one question is practical: how, since she is a virgin. The answer points to her relative Elizabeth, past childbearing and six months pregnant, and to the principle that nothing is impossible with God. Mary's reply — let it be to me according to your word — is assent, not resignation.
She travels to the hill country to visit Elizabeth, and the song she sings there, the Magnificat, is a revolutionary poem about thrones brought down and the hungry filled.
Where in scripture
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
[26] Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” [29] But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. [30] The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, …
Luke 1:26–38 — opening verses
[39] Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, [40] and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. [41] When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [42] She called out with a loud voice, and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! [45] Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!” [46] Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. [47] My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, …
Luke 1:39–56 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
