Christ Born of Mary
1 And it came to pass in those daysthata decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, tothe city of David, which is called Bethlehem,because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary,his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 Andshe brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,and they were greatly afraid.
10 Then the angel said to them,“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joywhich will be to all people.
11 For there is born to you this day in the city of Davida Savior,who is Christ the Lord.
12 And thiswillbethe sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Gloryto God in the highest,
# And on earthpeace,goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seenHim,they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who hearditmarveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and ponderedthemin her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying andpraising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Circumcision of Jesus
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was calledJesus, the name given by the angelbefore He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 Now whenthe days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to presentHimto the Lord
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord,“Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to theLord”),
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.”
Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose namewasSimeon, and this manwasjust and devout,waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would notsee death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 So he cameby the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord,now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyeshave seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light tobringrevelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, thisChildis destined for thefall and rising of many in Israel, and fora sign which will be spoken against
35 (yes,a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe ofAsher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
37 and this womanwasa widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but servedGodwith fastings and prayersnight and day.
38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those wholooked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Family Returns to Nazareth
39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to theirowncity, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
41 His parents went toJerusalemevery year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to thecustom of the feast.
43 When they had finished thedays, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not knowit;
44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him amongtheirrelatives and acquaintances.
45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
46 Now so it wasthatafter three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Andall who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them,“Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must beaboutMy Father’s business?”
50 Butthey did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His motherkept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesusincreased in wisdom and stature,and in favor with God and men.