Luke 2:4-52

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because 1he was of the house and family of David, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7And she 2gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a 3manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And 4an angel of the Lord suddenly 5stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10But the angel said to them, “6Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a 7Savior, who is 89Christ 10the Lord. 1211This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a 12manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14“13Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men 1415with 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 16manger. 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 17treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20The shepherds went back, 18glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21And when 19eight days had passed, 20before His circumcision, 21His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2222And 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, “23Every 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, “24A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 25righteous and devout, 26looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 27it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 28see death before he had seen the Lord’s 29Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 3031to 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, 32According to Your word;30For my eyes have 33seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,3234A Light 35of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 36mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary 37His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 38the fall and 39rise 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 40prophetess, 41Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of 42the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 43years 44and had lived with her husband seven years after her 45marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with 46fastings and prayers. 38At that very 47moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were 48looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 49their own city of Nazareth. 4050The Child continued to grow and become strong, 51increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 52the 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 53full 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 54were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When they saw Him, they were astonished; and 55His mother said to Him, “56Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 57Your father and I 58have been anxiously looking for You.” 49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that 59I had to be in My Father’s 60house?” 50But 61they did not understand the statement which He 62had made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 63Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and 64His mother 65treasured all these 66things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 67stature, and in 68favor with God and men.