LUKE 2
2 And what happened in those days was that a decree came from Caesar Augustus that the entire empire had to be registered. 2 (This was the first registration while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own hometown. 4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee – out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David (which is called Bethlehem) because he was of the house and ancestry of David – 5 to be registered with Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, who was pregnant. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 So she gave birth to her son, her firstborn, and she wrapped him up and laid him in a feeding trough because there was no place for them in the accommodation.
8 Now there were shepherds in that district, mustering and watching over their flocks’ enclosures during the night. 9 Then – get this! – an angel of the Lord stood near them and the glory of the Lord shone around them! And they were afraid – really terrified. 10 So the angel told them, “Don’t be afraid! Listen now, because I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people, 11 that today in the city of David was born to you a saviour who is Christ, the Lord. 12 And this is the sign for you: you will find a baby, having been wrapped up, lying in the feeding trough.”
13 Then all of a sudden there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly legion praising God and saying,
14 “Amongst the highest ones be glory to God, and on earth peace amongst men of favour!”
15 So, once the angels and the others went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s get right there to Bethlehem so we can see the fulfilment of this announcement that God has shown us.” 16 So they left quickly and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby laid in the feeding trough. 17 So, once they had seen this, they spread the word concerning the announcement that had been told them about this child, 18 and everyone who heard was amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept in mind all these matters, pondering in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as they were told.
21 So at the completion of eight days (for the circumcision of the child), he was given the name Jesus, the one he was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 So when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were complete, they brought him up into Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of pigeons or two juvenile doves.”
25 Now note this: There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been divinely revealed by the Spirit of the Holy One that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the law concerning him, 28 then he took him up into his arms. Then he blessed God, saying,
29 “Now, Master, according to your word you are releasing your slave in peace, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have made ready before all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and his mother were amazed at what was being spoken about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, “Look, this one is set down to be for the fall and resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed – 35 and indeed a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 Now there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She had seen many days, and had lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 but she was a widow of 84 years. She didn’t leave the temple, worshipping night and day with fasts and prayers. 38 At that same hour she came up professing to the Lord. She was speaking about him to all those who were anticipating the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 So, once they had finished every detail according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their hometown of Nazareth.
40 And the child was growing up and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Feast of Passover. 42 So when he was twelve years old, they all went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43 Then, once the time came for them to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Now Joseph and his mother didn’t realize it, 44 but assuming him to be in the group they went a day’s journey. But they began searching for him amongst the relatives and companions, 45 and when they couldn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 So then after three days they found him in the temple, sitting amongst the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And everyone was amazed at his insight and answers.
48 So upon seeing him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us?! Look, your father and I have been worried sick searching for you!” 49 So he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Don’t you understand that it is necessary for me to be amongst the things of my Father?” 50 But they didn’t comprehend the announcement that he spoke to them. 51 So he went down with them and came into Nazareth and he lived in submission to them. And his mother carefully preserved all these matters in her heart. 52 And Jesus progressed in wisdom and maturity, and in favour with God and man.
8 Now there were shepherds in that district, mustering and watching over their flocks’ enclosures during the night. 9 Then – get this! – an angel of the Lord stood near them and the glory of the Lord shone around them! And they were afraid – really terrified. 10 So the angel told them, “Don’t be afraid! Listen now, because I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people, 11 that today in the city of David was born to you a saviour who is Christ, the Lord. 12 And this is the sign for you: you will find a baby, having been wrapped up, lying in the feeding trough.”
13 Then all of a sudden there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly legion praising God and saying,
14 “Amongst the highest ones be glory to God, and on earth peace amongst men of favour!”
15 So, once the angels and the others went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s get right there to Bethlehem so we can see the fulfilment of this announcement that God has shown us.” 16 So they left quickly and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby laid in the feeding trough. 17 So, once they had seen this, they spread the word concerning the announcement that had been told them about this child, 18 and everyone who heard was amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept in mind all these matters, pondering in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as they were told.
21 So at the completion of eight days (for the circumcision of the child), he was given the name Jesus, the one he was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 So when the days of her purification according to the Law of Moses were complete, they brought him up into Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of pigeons or two juvenile doves.”
25 Now note this: There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been divinely revealed by the Spirit of the Holy One that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to the custom of the law concerning him, 28 then he took him up into his arms. Then he blessed God, saying,
29 “Now, Master, according to your word you are releasing your slave in peace, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have made ready before all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and his mother were amazed at what was being spoken about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, “Look, this one is set down to be for the fall and resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed – 35 and indeed a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 Now there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She had seen many days, and had lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 but she was a widow of 84 years. She didn’t leave the temple, worshipping night and day with fasts and prayers. 38 At that same hour she came up professing to the Lord. She was speaking about him to all those who were anticipating the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 So, once they had finished every detail according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their hometown of Nazareth.
40 And the child was growing up and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Feast of Passover. 42 So when he was twelve years old, they all went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43 Then, once the time came for them to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Now Joseph and his mother didn’t realize it, 44 but assuming him to be in the group they went a day’s journey. But they began searching for him amongst the relatives and companions, 45 and when they couldn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46 So then after three days they found him in the temple, sitting amongst the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And everyone was amazed at his insight and answers.
48 So upon seeing him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us?! Look, your father and I have been worried sick searching for you!” 49 So he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Don’t you understand that it is necessary for me to be amongst the things of my Father?” 50 But they didn’t comprehend the announcement that he spoke to them. 51 So he went down with them and came into Nazareth and he lived in submission to them. And his mother carefully preserved all these matters in her heart. 52 And Jesus progressed in wisdom and maturity, and in favour with God and man.