Luke 2:8-28

8In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

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

12This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

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

14Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

15When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.

17After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

21When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus  — the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

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

23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord)

24and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).

25There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

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

27Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,

28Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,