Luke 2

1verseNow in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

2verseThis was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3verseAll went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

4verseJoseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5verseto enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

6verseWhile they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

7verseShe gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8verseThere were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

9verseBehold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10verseThe angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

11verseFor there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12verseThis is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

13verseSuddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,

14verse“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

15verseWhen the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16verseThey came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

17verseWhen they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

18verseAll who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

19verseBut Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

20verseThe shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

21verseWhen eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22verseWhen the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

23verse(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),

24verseand to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

25verseBehold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

26verseIt had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27verseHe came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,

28versethen he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,

29verse“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

30versefor my eyes have seen your salvation,

31versewhich you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32versea light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”

33verseJoseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.

34verseSimeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.

35verseYes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36verseThere was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

37verseand she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.

38verseComing up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

39verseWhen they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

40verseThe child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

41verseHis parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

42verseWhen he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;

43verseand when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,

44versebut supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45verseWhen they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

46verseAfter three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47verseAll who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48verseWhen they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

49verseHe said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50verseThey didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51verseAnd he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52verseAnd Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.