Luke 2
1 In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that the whole world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration, when Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to David’s city called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and family of David.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.
8 There were shepherds in that region, living out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly afraid.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people:
11 Today, in David’s city, a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth among people whom he favors.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
17 When they saw him, they told what they had been told about this child.
18 Everyone who heard was amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary kept all these words, reflecting on them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
21 When the eight days had passed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
23 As it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn boy shall be called holy to the Lord.”
24 They also came to offer a sacrifice, as stated in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
25 There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Christ.
27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple. The parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the Law.
28 Simeon took him in his arms, blessed God, and said:
29 “Now, Sovereign Lord, you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the nations and glory for your people Israel.”
33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “Look, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed.
35 And a sword will pierce your own soul too. In this way, the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in age; she had lived with her husband for seven years from the time she was a virgin.
37 She was a widow of eighty-four years and never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayers night and day.
38 At that very moment she came up, gave thanks to God, and spoke about him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had done everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.
43 When the festival days were over and they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and his parents did not realize it.
44 Thinking he was in the group traveling together, they went a day’s journey and searched for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 He 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 words he said to them.
51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was obedient to them. His mother kept all these words in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people.
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