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The Birth of Jesus

Verse1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

Verse2This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Verse3And everyone went to his own town to register.

Verse4So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.

Verse5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

Verse6While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.

Verse7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

Verse8And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Verse9Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Verse10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

Verse11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!

Verse12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Verse13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

Verse14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”

Verse15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Verse16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

Verse17After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.

Verse18And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Verse19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Verse20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

Verse21When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

Verse22And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

Verse23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord” ),

Verse24and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

Verse25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Verse26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Verse27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

Verse28Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:

Verse29“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

Verse30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Verse31which You have prepared in the sight of all people,

Verse32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”

Verse33The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.

Verse34Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

Verse35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”

The Prophecy of Anna

Verse36There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,

Verse37and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Verse38Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

Verse39When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

Verse40And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

Verse41Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.

Verse42And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

Verse43When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.

Verse44Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.

Verse45When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

Verse46Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Verse47And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

Verse48When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

Verse49“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house ?”

Verse50But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.

Verse51Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Verse52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.