Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register.2 This was the first registration; 

3 And all went to their own towns to be registered.
4 So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David.5 Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged 6 While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have the baby,

7 and she gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough.

Shepherds Hear About Jesus

8 That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep.9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened.10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.11 Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord.

12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.”

13 Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying:
14 “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God.” 

15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding trough.17 When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child.18 Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.19 But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them.

20 Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It had been just as the angel had told them.

21 When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised and was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the law of Moses taught about being made pure, 23 (It is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be given to the Lord.”) 24 Mary and Joseph also went to offer a sacrifice, as the law of the Lord says: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” 

Simeon Sees Jesus

25 In Jerusalem lived a man named Simeon who was a good man and godly. He was waiting for the time when God would take away Israel’s sorrow, and the Holy Spirit was in him.26 Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord.27 The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to do what the law said they must do,

28 Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:

29 “Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said.

30 With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

31 which you prepared before all people.

32 It is a light for the non-Jewish people to see and an honor for your people, the Israelites.”
33 Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept

35 so that the thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too.”

Anna Sees Jesus

36 There was a prophetess, Anna, from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years.37 Then her husband died, and she was a widow for eighty-four years. Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night.

38 Standing there at that time, she thanked God and spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

Joseph and Mary Return Home

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything the law of the Lord commanded, they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.

40 The little child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s goodness was upon him.

Jesus As a Boy

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.42 When he was twelve years old, they went to the feast as they always did.43 After the feast days were over, they started home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.44 Thinking that Jesus was with them in the group, they traveled for a whole day. Then they began to look for him among their family and friends.45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.46 After three days they found Jesus sitting in the Temple with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers.

48 When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you and have been looking for you.”
49 Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50 But they did not understand the meaning of what he said.
51 Jesus went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But his mother kept in her mind all that had happened.52 Jesus became wiser and grew physically. People liked him, and he pleased God.

Luke 2

1 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.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 in the inn.8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which 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 righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law,28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace;

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;

32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him;34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.36 And there 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,37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39 And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48 And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.