Mary, from the day she was first called the mother of Jesus to the days she prayed with his disciples

Mary was the mother of Jesus. Luke introduces her as a virgin in Nazareth of Galilee, pledged to marry Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel Gabriel came and greeted her as one who had received God’s favor. Mary was troubled and considered what the greeting meant.

Gabriel told Mary that she would bear a son and name him Jesus. He would be called the Son of the Most High, receive David’s throne, and reign without end. Mary asked how this could happen, since she was a virgin. The angel answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that nothing spoken by God was impossible. Mary called herself the Lord’s servant and asked that it happen according to his word.

Mary visited her relative Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age. When she heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth called Mary blessed for believing God’s word. Mary praised God for looking upon her humble state, raising the lowly, and filling the hungry with good things. She stayed about three months before returning home.

Matthew also tells the story of Joseph learning about Mary’s pregnancy. He intended to end the relationship privately rather than expose her publicly. An angel appeared in a dream, told him that the child had been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and instructed him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph did so and named the child Jesus after his birth.

Around the time of Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for a registration ordered by the Roman emperor. Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, a feeding place for animals. Shepherds heard an angel’s announcement and came from the fields. They told what they had heard about the child, and Mary kept and considered these things in her heart.

On the eighth day, the child was circumcised and given the name Jesus, as the angel had announced. When the days of purification required by the law after childbirth were completed, Joseph and Mary took him to the Jerusalem temple to present him to the Lord. They offered the sacrifice named in the law: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

At the temple, Simeon held the child and praised God. He told Mary that the child was appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel and would be a sign spoken against. A sword would also pierce Mary’s own soul. Anna, a prophetess who worshiped at the temple with fasting and prayer, gave thanks and spoke about the child to people awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption.

Matthew recounts wise men from the east visiting the house where the child and Mary were, worshiping him, and presenting gifts. After they left, Joseph was warned in a dream that King Herod sought to kill the child. He took the child and Mary to Egypt by night. After Herod died, the family returned and lived in Nazareth.

When Jesus was twelve, Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for Passover. On the journey home they thought he was among the travelers. Unable to find him, they returned to Jerusalem. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among teachers, listening and asking questions. Mary said they had been anxiously searching for him. Jesus answered that he had to be in his Father’s house. They did not understand, but Mary kept these words in her heart. Jesus returned to Nazareth and obeyed his parents.

Mary, Jesus, and his disciples attended a wedding in Cana of Galilee. When the wine ran out, Mary told Jesus. He said that his hour had not yet come, and Mary told the servants to do whatever he instructed. Jesus had them fill jars with water and take some to the person overseeing the feast. The water became wine. John identifies this as Jesus’ first sign.

After the wedding, Jesus went down to Capernaum with his mother, brothers, and disciples. John says they stayed there a few days.

Luke also describes Mary and Jesus’ brothers coming to see him. They could not reach him because of the crowd, and people told him they were waiting outside. Jesus said that those who heard and did God’s word were his mother and brothers.

When Jesus was crucified, Mary stood near the cross. Jesus told her that the disciple he loved was her son. He then spoke to that disciple of Mary as his mother. From that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Acts records Mary praying with the disciples after Jesus was taken into heaven. The disciples returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem and gathered in an upstairs room. Other women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers were also present. They devoted themselves to prayer together.