Mary Visits Her Relative Elizabeth

Mary, upon hearing the good news immediately made arrangements to go and visit her relative Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. It was quite a long journey from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, and travel could be very difficult in those days. When she arrived Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the child lept in her womb. Elizabeth greeted Mary with a song of praise about the Lord, who Mary was about to give birth to. Mary responded with a song as well that became traditionally known as the "Magnificat". Mary stayed with her cousin Elizabeth for the next three months.

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." Isaiah 40:3-5

The Birth of Jesus

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:7

The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Brief History of the Birth of John the Baptist
Scriptures: Luke 1:5-25

Introduction

The New Testament covers the period from the birth of John the Baptist, to the life and death of Jesus, to the beginnings of the Church,  to the spreading of the gospel throughout the world, to the death of the great apostle Paul.

The Four Gospel Accounts - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

There are four accounts of the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and they are referred to as the "Gospel". Each portrays a particular focus about Jesus and His ministry.

The New Testament - A Brief Overview