The Collect.
O GOD, who for the announcing of the mystery of thine Incarnation
didst choose Saint Gabriel before all the other Angels: mercifully
grant that as we do keep his feast here on earth; so also we
may be assisted by his patronage in heaven. Who livest and reignest
with the Father.
For the Epistle. Daniel 9:21-26
21 In those days: Behold, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in
the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched
me about the time of the evening oblation.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel,
I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.
23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came
forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved:
therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy
holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of
sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in
everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of
the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah
the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks:
the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous
times.
26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off,
but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall
come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof
shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations
are determined.
The Gospel. St Luke 1:26-38
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that
art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and
cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth
a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father
David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I
know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived
a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who
was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto
me according to thy word.