Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in
the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said
to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy
for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,a the Lord. 12This
will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and
lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,b praising God and
saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"c
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing
that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16So
they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the
manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what
had been told them about this child; 18and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But
Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.
Jesus Is Named
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification
according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him
to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the
Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 24and
they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a
pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
25 Now there
was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;d this man was
righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy
Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him
by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's
Messiah.e 27Guided by the Spirit,
Simeonf came into the temple; and when the parents brought in
the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeong
took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 "Master,
now you are dismissing your servanth in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes
have seen your salvation,
31 which you have
prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a
light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people
Israel."
33 And the child's father and mother were amazed
at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeoni
blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the
falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so
that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your
own soul too."
36 There was also a prophet, Annaj
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having
lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then
as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped
there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At
that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the childk
to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem
for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was
twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When
the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind
in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming
that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they
started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When
they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After
three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening
to them and asking them questions. 47And all who
heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When
his parentsl saw him they were astonished; and his mother said
to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have
been searching for you in great anxiety." 49He said
to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my
Father's house?"m 50But they did
not understand what he said to them. 51Then he went
down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother
treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus
increased in wisdom and in years,n and in divine and human
favor.