Announcement of the Birth of John

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah, belonging to the priestly clan of Abijah. Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, also belonged to a priestly family.  Both of them were upright in the eyes of God and lived blamelessly in accordance with all the laws and
commands of the Lord,  they had no children. Elizabeth was barren and now they were both very old.Now, while Zechariah was serving in the temple along with the priests of his division, whose turn it was to serve,  it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn in cense........

Announcement of the Birth of Jesus

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is
with you.”  Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has favored you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus........

Mary Visits Elizabeth

At that time Mary went asquickly as she could to a town in thehills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. .....

The Shepherds and the Angels

There were shepherds camping in the countryside nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the glory of the Lord shining around them. As they were terrified, The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; I am here to give you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you in David’s town; he is Christ the Lord. ...

True and Fals Friendship Sirach 6 :5-17

A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.

Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.

When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him

For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress......