5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Yehudah, a certain Kohen [priest] named Zekharyah, of the priestly division of Aviyah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. 6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elisheva was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. 8 Now it happened, while he executed the Kohen's office before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the Kohen's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 Zekharyah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell on him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zekharyah, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elisheva, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochanan. 14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, even from his mother's womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Yisra'el to the Lord, their God. 17 He will go before his face in the spirit and power of Eliyah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zekharyah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 The angel answered him, "I am Gavri'el, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." 21 The people were waiting for Zekharyah, and they marveled while he delayed in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. 23 It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. 24 After these days Elisheva, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."
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| Annunciation of the Angel to Zechariah Domenico Ghirlandaio (1490) fresco in the Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence |
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| Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. also known as the Church of St. Gabriel or St. Gabriel's Greek Orthodox Church Nazareth, Israel |
PROTEVANGELIUM
10 And there was a council of the priests, saying: Let us make a veil for the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Call to me the undefiled virgins of the family of David. And the officers went away, and sought, and found several virgins. And the priest remembered the child Miryam, that she was of the family of David, and undefiled before God. And the officers went away and brought her. And they brought them into the temple of the Lord. And the priest said: Choose for me by lot who shall spin the gold, and the undefiled, and the fine linen, and the silk, and the hyacinth and the scarlet, and the true purple. And the true purple and the scarlet fell to the lot of Miryam, and she took them, and went away to her house. And at that time Zekharyah was dumb, and Shemu'el was in his place until the time that Zekharyah spake.
26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gavri'el was sent from God to a city of the Galil, named Natzeret, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Yosef, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Miryam. 28 Having come in to her, the angel said, "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, Miryam, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Yeshua.' 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of Ha`Elyon. The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father, David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Ya`akov forever. There will be no end of his kingdom." 34 Miryam said to the angel, "How will this be, seeing I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered her, "The Ruach HaKodesh will come on you, and the power of Ha`Elyon will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. 36 Behold, Elisheva, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For no word from God will be void of power." 38 Miryam said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.
11 And she took the pitcher, and went out to fill it with water. And, behold, a voice saying: Hail, thou who hast received grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! And she looked round, on the right hand and on the left, to see whence this voice came. And she went away, trembling, to her house, and put down the pitcher; and taking the purple, she sat down on her seat, and drew it out. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before her, saying: Fear not, Miryam; for thou hast found grace before the Lord of ail, and thou shalt conceive, according to His word. And she hearing, reasoned with herself, saying: Shall I conceive by the Lord, the living God? and shall I bring forth as every woman brings forth? And the angel of the Lord said: Not so, Miryam; for the power of the Lord shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of the Most High. And thou shalt call His name Yeshua, for He shall save His people from their sins. And Miryam said: Behold, the servant of the Lord before His face: let it be unto me according to thy word.
LUKE 1:26-38
ANNUNCIATION TO MIRYAM
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| Lochner Altar: Annunciation STEPHAN LOCHNER 15th c. Cologne Cathedral |
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| ANNUNCIATION Bartolome Esteban Murillo |
PROTEVANGELIUM
11 And she took the pitcher, and went out to fill it with water. And, behold, a voice saying: Hail, thou who hast received grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women! And she looked round, on the right hand and on the left, to see whence this voice came. And she went away, trembling, to her house, and put down the pitcher; and taking the purple, she sat down on her seat, and drew it out. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before her, saying: Fear not, Miryam; for thou hast found grace before the Lord of ail, and thou shalt conceive, according to His word. And she hearing, reasoned with herself, saying: Shall I conceive by the Lord, the living God? and shall I bring forth as every woman brings forth? And the angel of the Lord said: Not so, Miryam; for the power of the Lord shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of the Most High. And thou shalt call His name Yeshua, for He shall save His people from their sins. And Miryam said: Behold, the servant of the Lord before His face: let it be unto me according to thy word.
12 And she made the true purple and the scarlet, and took them to the priest. And the priest blessed her, and said: Miryam, the Lord God hath magnified thy name, and thou shalt be blessed in all the generations of the earth. And Miryam, with great joy, went away to Elisheva her kinswoman, and knocked at the door. And when Elisheva heard her, she threw away what she had in her hand, and ran to the door, and opened it; and seeing Miryam, she blessed her, and said : Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? for, behold, that which is in me leaped and blessed thee. But Miryam had forgotten the mysteries of which the archangel Gavri'el had spoken, and gazed up into heaven, and said: Who am I, O Lord, that all the generations of the earth should bless me? And she remained three months with Elisheva; and day by day she grew bigger. And Miryam being afraid, went away to her own house, and hid herself from the sons of Yisra'el. And she was sixteen years old when these mysteries happened.
LUKE 1:39-56
THE VISITATION
39 Miryam arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Yehudah, 40 and entered into the house of Zekharyah and greeted Elisheva. 41 It happened, when Elisheva heard Miryam's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh. 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!"
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| VISITATION Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1491 Louvre, Paris |
46 Miryam said, "My soul magnifies the Lord. 47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 For he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. 49 For he who is mighty has done to me great things. Holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him. 51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. 52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has given help to Yisra'el, his servant, that he might remember mercy, 55 As he spoke to our fathers, Toward Avraham and his seed forever." 56 Miryam stayed with her about three months, and returned to her house.
MAGNIFICAT
MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand maiden.
For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungrv with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
LUKE 1:56-80
BIRTH OF YOCHANAN
57 Now the time that Elisheva should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zekharyah, after the name of the father. 60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called Yochanan." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is Yochanan." They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Yehudah. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him. 67 His father, Zekharyah, was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and prophesied, saying,
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| The Holy Family with St. Elizabeth and St. Zacharias Painted by the workshop of Nicola Port Church of St. Joseph of Monacelle |
57 Now the time that Elisheva should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zekharyah, after the name of the father. 60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called Yochanan." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is Yochanan." They all marveled. 64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Yehudah. 66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him. 67 His father, Zekharyah, was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, and prophesied, saying,
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| Zechariah Writes Down the Name of His Son Domenico Ghirlandaio (1490) Tornabuoni Chapel, Florence, Italy |
68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Yisra'el, For he has visited and worked redemption for his people; 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old), 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us; 72 To show mercy towards our fathers, To remember his holy covenant, 73 The oath which he spoke to Avraham, our father, 74 To grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of Ha`Elyon, For you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, Whereby the dawn from on high will visit us, 79 To shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of shalom."
BENEDICTUS
80 The child grew, and grew strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Yisra'el.BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel : for he hath visited and redeemed his people;And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us : in tne house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets : which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies : and from the hands of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers: and to remember his holy Covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham: that he would give us;
That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies : might serve him without fear;
In holiness and righteousness before him : all the days of our life.
And thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people : for the remission of their sins;
Through the tender mercy of our God : whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us;
To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death : and to guide our feet into the way of peace
MATTITYAHU 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Yeshua the Messiah was like this; because when his mother, Miryam, had been engaged to Yosef, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Ruach HaKodesh. 19 Yosef, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. 20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Yosef, son of David, don't be afraid to take to yourself Miryam, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Ruach HaKodesh. 21 She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Yeshua, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins." 22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, And shall bring forth a son. They shall call his name Immanu'el;" Which is, being interpreted, "God with us." 24 Yosef arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 25 and didn't know her
until she had brought forth her firstborn son.
He named him Yeshua.
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| Betrothal of the Virgin Lippo Vanni: fresco c. 1360 San Leonardo al Lago.Siena |
until she had brought forth her firstborn son.
He named him Yeshua.
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| 'Joseph's Dream', by Gaetano Gandolfi, c. 1790 |
PROTEVANGELIUM
13. And she was in her sixth month; and, behold, Yosef came back from his building, and, entering into his house, he discovered that she was big with child. And he hung down his face, and threw himself on the ground upon the sackcloth, and wept bitterly, saying: With what face shall I look upon the Lord my God? and what prayer shall I make about this maiden? because I received her a virgin out of the temple of the Lord, and I have not watched over her. Who is it that has hunted me down? Who has done this evil thing in my house, and defiled the virgin? And Yosef stood up from the sackcloth, and called Miryam, and said to her: O thou who hast been cared for by God, why hast thou done this, and forgotten the Lord thy God? Why hast thou brought low thy soul, thou that wast brought up in the holy place, and that didst receive food from the hand of an angel ? And she wept bitterly, saying: I am innocent, and have known no man. And Yosef said to her: Whence then is that which is in thy womb? And she said: As the Lord my God liveth, I do not know whence it is to me.
14. And Yosef was greatly afraid, and retired from her, and considered what he should do in regard to her. And Yosef said: If Iconceal her sin, I find myself fighting against the law of the Lord; and if I expose her to the sons of Yisra'el, I am afraid lest that which is in her be from an angel, and I shall be found giving up innocent blood to the doom of death. What then shall I do with her? I will put her away from me secretly. And night came upon him; and, behold, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, saying: Be not afraid for this maiden, for that which is in her is of the Holy Spirit; and she will bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Yeshua, for He will save His people from their sins. And Yosef arose from sleep, and glorified the God of Yisra'el, who had given him this grace; and he kept her.
15. And Anan the scribe came to him, and said: Why hast thou not appeared in our assembly? And Yosef said to him: Because I was weary from my journey, and rested the first day. And he turned, and saw that Miryam was with child. And he ran away to the priest, and said to him: Yosef, whom thou didst vouch for, has committed a grievous crime. And the priest said: How so? And he said: He has defiled the virgin whom he received out of the temple of the Lord, and has married her by stealth, and has not revealed it to the sons of Israel. And the priest answering, said: Has Yosef done this? Then said Annas the scribe: Send officers, and thou wilt find the virgin with child. And the officers went away, and found it as he had said; and they brought her along with Yosef to the tribunal. And the priest said: Miryam, why hast thou done this? and why hast thou brought thy soul low, and forgotten the Lord thy God? Thou that wast reared in the holy place, and that didst receive food from the hand of an angel, and didst hear the hymns, and didst dance before Him, why hast thou done this? And she wept bitterly, saying: As the Lord my God liveth, I am pure before Him, and know not a man. And the priest said to Yosef: Why hast thou done this? And Yosef said: As the Lord liveth, I am pure concerning her. Then said the priest: Bear not false witness, but speak the truth. Thou hast married her by stealth, and hast not revealed it to the sons of Israel, and hast not bowed thy head under the strong hand, that thy seed might be blessed. And Yosef was silent.
16. And the priest said: Give up the virgin whom thou didst receive out of the temple of the Lord. And Yosef burst into tears. And the priest said: I will give you to drink of the water of the ordeal of the Lord, [Num. v. 11, ff] and He shall make manifest your sins in your eyes. And the priest took the water, and gave Yosef to drink, and sent him away to the hill country; and he returned unhurt. And he gave to Miryam also to drink, and sent her away to the hill-country; and she returned unhurt. And all the people wondered that sin did not appear in them. And the priest said : If the Lord God has not made manifest your sins, neither do I judge you. And he sent them away. And Yosef took Miryam, and went away to his own house, rejoicing and glorifying the God of Israel
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"The Hope"
Kol ‘od balleivav p'nimah
As long as in the heart, within,
Nefesh Yehudi homiyah,
A Jewish soul still yearns,
Ulfa’atei mizrach kadimah,
And onward, towards the ends of the east,
Ayin l'tziyon tzofiyah;An eye still gazes toward Zion;
Refrain
‘Od lo avdah tikvateinu,
Our hope is not yet lost,
Hatikvah hannoshanah,
The ancient hope,
L'hyot ‘am chofshi b’artzeinu,
To be a free people in our land,
Eretz-tziyon v'Yerushalayim.
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
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go to FIRST COMMUNICATION OF YESHUA, pt. 3:
(to be added)
(to be added)
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