Luke 2

VIN^{(i) 1} Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone went to his own town to register. ⁴ Among others Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judea--because he belonged to the family and house of David-- ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: ¹¹ Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! ¹² And this will be a sign to you: You shall find a baby wrapped in birth clothes and lying in a manger. ¹³ Suddenly a multitude of the Heavenly Army appeared with the angel, praising God by saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they saw this, they informed them of the story that had been told about this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them. ²¹ When the eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived. ²² And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." ²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷ Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, ²⁸ Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: ²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation ³¹ which You have prepared in the sight of all people, ³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." ³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” ³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. ³⁹ When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. ⁴¹ Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. ⁴³ And when the feast was over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When Jesus parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!" ⁴⁹ "Why did you look for me?" he said, "Did you not know I had to be at my Father's house?" ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹ Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was subject to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.