Luke 2

1 And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.2 This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.3 And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.4 Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,5 in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.7 And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.8 And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.9 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.10 And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.11 For today a Saviour has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”15 And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.”16 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.17 Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.18 And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.21 And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.22 And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”24 and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.27 And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:29 “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.34 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.35 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.37 And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.38 And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.40 Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.42 And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.43 And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.44 But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.45 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.46 And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.47 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.48 And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”49 And he said to them: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.51 And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.

Luke 2

The Census and the Birth of Jesus

1 Nowt in those days a decrees went out from Caesart Augustuss to registerts all the empiret for taxes.2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governort of Syria.3 Everyonet went to his own townt to be registered.4 Sot Joseph also went up from the town of Nazarethss in Galilee to Judea, to the cityt of David called Bethlehem,ss because he was of the houses and family linet of David.5 He wentt to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him,t and who was expecting a child.6 Whilet they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.t

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloths and laid him in a manger,t because there was no place for them in the inn.ts

The Shepherds’ Visit

8 Nowt there were shepherdss nearbyt living out in the field, keeping guardt over their flock at night.9 Ant angel of the Lordt appeared tot them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.ts10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully,t for I proclaim to you good newst that brings great joy to all the people:11 Todays your Savior is born in the cityt of David.t He is Christts the Lord.12 Thist will be a signs for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”t

13 Suddenlyt a vast, heavenly armyt appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glorys to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among peoplet with whom he is pleased!”s
15 Whent the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehems and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lords has made known to us.”16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.t17 Whent they saw him,t they related what they had been toldt about this child,18 and all who heard it were astonishedt at what the shepherds said.19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.t

20 Sot the shepherds returned, glorifying and praisings God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.ts

21 Att the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angels before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus’ Presentation at the Temple

22 Nowt when the time came for theirsts purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Maryt brought Jesust up to Jerusalems to present him to the Lord23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn maletwill be set apart to the Lord”s),

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of dovessor two young pigeons.s

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 Nowt there was a man in Jerusalems named Simeon who was righteoust and devout, looking for the restorationts of Israel, and the Holy Spirits was upon him.26 Itt had been revealedt to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not diet beforet he had seen the Lord’s Christ.ts27 Sot Simeon,t directed by the Spirit,t came into the temple courts,ts and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law,t

28 Simeont took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,t

29 “Now, according to your word,s Sovereign Lord,t permits your servantts to departt in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvations

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:s

32 a light,t
for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glorys to your people Israel.”
33 Sot the child’st fatherss and mother were amazedt at what was said about him.34 Thent Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully:t This childt is destined to be the cause of the falling and risings of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.t

35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughtst of many hearts will be revealeds – and a swords will pierce your own soul as well!”s

The Testimony of Anna

36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old,t having been married to her husband for seven years until his death.37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years.t She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.s

38 At that moment,t she came up to themt and began to give thanks to God and to speakt about the childt to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.ss
39 Sot when Joseph and Maryt had performedt everything according to the law of the Lord,s they returned to Galilee, to their own townt of Nazareth.s

40 And the child grew and became strong,s filled with wisdom,s and the favort of Gods was upon him.

Jesus in the Temple

41 Nowt Jesus’t parents went to Jerusalems everyt year for the feast of the Passover.s42 Whent he was twelve years old,s they went ups according to custom.43 Butt when the feast was over,t as they were returning home,t the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Hist parentss did not know it,44 but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers)s they went a day’s journey. Thent they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.t45 Whent they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalems to look for him.46 Aftert three dayss they found him in the temple courts,t sitting among the teachers,t listening to them and asking them questions.47 And all who heard Jesust were astonisheds at his understanding and his answers.48 Whent his parentst saw him, they were overwhelmed. Hist mother said to him, “Child,t why have you treatedt us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”t49 Butt he replied,t “Why were you looking for me?t Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”t50 Yett his parentst did not understands the remarkt he madet to them.

51 Thent he went down with them and came to Nazareth,s and was obedientt to them. Butt his mother kept all these thingst in her heart.s

52 And Jesus increasedt in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.