Luke 2:13-52

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly 1army of angels praising God and saying,14“2Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people 34with 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 5manger. 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 6treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds went back, 7glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21And when 8eight days were completed 9so that it was time for His circumcision, 10He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2211And when the days for 12their 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: “13Every 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: “14A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 15righteous and devout, 16looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 17it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 18see death before he had seen the Lord’s 19Christ. 27And he came 20by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 2122to 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, 23According to Your word;30For my eyes have 24seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:3225A light for revelation 26for the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 27mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to 28His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 29the fall and 30rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be 31opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 32prophetess, 33Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of 34the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 35years 36and had lived with her husband for seven years after her 37marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with 38fasts and prayers. 38And at that very 39moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were 40looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 41their own city of Nazareth. 4042Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, 43increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 44the 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 45full 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 46were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and 47His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 48Your 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 49I had to be in My Father’s 50house?” 50And yet 51they on their part did not understand the statement which He had 52made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 53Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and 54His mother 55treasured all these 56things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 57stature, and in 58favor with God and people.