Mass at Night, Gospel

Luke   1: 1-14

1:1 Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us,

1:2 just as they have been handed on to those of us who from the beginning saw the same and were ministers of the word,

1:3 so it seemed good to me also, having diligently followed everything from the beginning, to write to you, in an orderly manner, most excellent Theophilus,

1:4 so that you might know the truthfulness of those words by which you have been instructed.

1:5 There was, in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the section of Abijah, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

1:6 Now they were both just before God, progressing in all of the commandments and the justifications of the Lord without blame.

1:7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both had become advanced in years.

1:8 Then it happened that, when he was exercising the priesthood before God, in the order of his section,

1:9 according to the custom of the priesthood, the lot fell so that he would offer incense, entering into the temple of the Lord.

1:10 And the entire multitude of the people was praying outside, at the hour of incense.

1:11 Then there appeared to him an Angel of the Lord, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

1:12 And upon seeing him, Zechariah was disturbed, and fear fell over him.

1:13 But the Angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son to you. And you shall call his name John.

1:14 And there will be joy and exultation for you, and many will rejoice in his nativity.