Luke 2

1It happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the inhabited world should be registered.

2This registration took place first while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3And everyone was going to be registered, each to his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David,

5to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him and was pregnant.

6And while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth.

7And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guest room.

8And there were shepherds in that same region, staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear.

10And 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,”

11because today a Savior was born for you in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord.

12And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people of good pleasure.

15And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16And they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

17And when they saw it, they made known the message that had been spoken to them about this child.

18And all who heard it were amazed about what had been told to them by the shepherds,

19But Mary was treasuring up all these words, pondering them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

21And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, the name called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

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

23as it is written in the Law of the Lord, that every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what had been said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27And he came in 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,

28And he took him into his arms and blessed God and said,

29Now you are dismissing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace.

30because my eyes have seen your salvation

31which you prepared before the face of all the peoples,

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Israel.

33And his father and mother were marveling at the things being said about him.

34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Look, this one is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed,”

35and a sword will pass through your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,

37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four years old. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And at that very hour, coming up, she began giving thanks to God and speaking about him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town, Nazareth.

40And the child grew and became strong, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

41And his parents went to Jerusalem year by year for the Feast of the Passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, as they were going up according to the custom of the feast,

43And when they had completed the days, as they were returning, Jesus the boy remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.

44But supposing him to be in the traveling group, they went a day's journey, and they began searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

46And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.

48And when they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”

49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them.

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

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.