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The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree 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 their own town to
register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to
register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and
was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him
in a manger, because there was no guest room available for
them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at 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. I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the
town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the
Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will
find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and
the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen
him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them
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 the
things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had
been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise
the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given
him before he was conceived.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites
required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in
the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be
consecrated to the Lord” ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in
keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of
doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who
was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation
of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the
Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents
brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of
the Law required. 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised
God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now
dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the
glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was
said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to
Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the
falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that
will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many
hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own
soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had
lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37
and then had been a widow for eighty-four years. She never
left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and
praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave
thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were
looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary 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 on him.
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the
Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old,
they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43
After the festival was over, while his parents were
returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem,
but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their
company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking
for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did
not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple courts,
sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking
them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his
understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him,
they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have
you treated us like this? Your father and I have been
anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t
you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did
not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was
obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things
in her heart. 52 And as Jesus grew up, he increased in
wisdom and in favor with God and people. |
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