Luke 2

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem

1Now in those days a decree went out from 1Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of 2all 3the inhabited earth. 24This was the first census taken while 5Quirinius was governor of 6Syria. 3And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because 7he was of the house and family of David, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was 8betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6While they were there, the 9time came for her to give birth. 7And she 10gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a 11manger, because there was no 12room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9And 13an angel of the Lord suddenly 14stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10And so the angel said to them, “15Do 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 16Savior, who is 1718Christ 19the Lord. 12And 20this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a 21manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly 22army of angels praising God and saying,14“23Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people 2425with whom He is pleased.”

15When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the 26manger. 17When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary 27treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds went back, 28glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21And when 29eight days were completed 30so that it was time for His circumcision, 31He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2232And when the days for 33their 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: “34Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: “35A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 36righteous and devout, 37looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 38it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 39see death before he had seen the Lord’s 40Christ. 27And he came 41by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 4243to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,29“Now, Lord, You are letting Your bond-servant depart in peace, 44According to Your word;30For my eyes have 45seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:3246A light for revelation 47for the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 48mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to 49His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 50the fall and 51rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be 52opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 53prophetess, 54Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of 55the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 56years 57and had lived with her husband for seven years after her 58marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with 59fasts and prayers. 38And at that very 60moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were 61looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 62their own city of Nazareth. 4063Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, 64increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 65the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43and as they were returning, after spending the 66full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45And when 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 67were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and 68His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 69Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” 49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that 70I had to be in My Father’s 71house?” 50And yet 72they on their part did not understand the statement which He had 73made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 74Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and 75His mother 76treasured all these 77things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 78stature, and in 79favor with God and people.