Luke 2:13-52

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14“1Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men 23with whom He is pleased.”

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the 4manger. 17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary 5treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20The shepherds went back, 6glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21And when 7eight days had passed, 8before His circumcision, 9His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2210And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “11Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “12A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 13righteous and devout, 14looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 15it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 16see death before he had seen the Lord’s 17Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 1819to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,29“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, 20According to Your word;30For my eyes have 21seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,3222A Light 23of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 24mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary 25His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 26the fall and 27rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 28prophetess, 29Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of 30the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 31years 32and had lived with her husband seven years after her 33marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with 34fastings and prayers. 38At that very 35moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were 36looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 37their own city of Nazareth. 4038The Child continued to grow and become strong, 39increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 40the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43and as they were returning, after spending the 41full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard Him 42were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When they saw Him, they were astonished; and 43His mother said to Him, “44Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 45Your father and I 46have been anxiously looking for You.” 49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that 47I had to be in My Father’s 48house?” 50But 49they did not understand the statement which He 50had made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 51Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and 52His mother 53treasured all these 54things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 55stature, and in 56favor with God and men.