Luke 2:4-52

4Now Joseph 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 2betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6While they were there, the 3time came for her to give birth. 7And she 4gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a 5manger, because there was no 6room 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 7an angel of the Lord suddenly 8stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10And so the angel said to them, “9Do 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 10Savior, who is 1112Christ 13the Lord. 12And 14this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a 15manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly 16army of angels praising God and saying,14“17Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people 1819with 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 20manger. 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 21treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds went back, 22glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

21And when 23eight days were completed 24so that it was time for His circumcision, 25He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

2226And when the days for 27their 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: “28Every 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: “29A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

25And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 30righteous and devout, 31looking forward to the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And 32it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 33see death before he had seen the Lord’s 34Christ. 27And he came 35by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 3637to 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, 38According to Your word;30For my eyes have 39seen Your salvation,31Which You have prepared in the presence of all the peoples:3240A light for revelation 41for the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and 42mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to 43His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for 44the fall and 45rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be 46opposed-- 35and a sword will pierce your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36And there was a 47prophetess, 48Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of 49the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in 50years 51and had lived with her husband for seven years after her 52marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with 53fasts and prayers. 38And at that very 54moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were 55looking 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 56their own city of Nazareth. 4057Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, 58increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 59the 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 60full 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 61were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and 62His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 63Your 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 64I had to be in My Father’s 65house?” 50And yet 66they on their part did not understand the statement which He had 67made to them. 51And He went down with them and came to 68Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and 69His mother 70treasured all these 71things in her heart.

52And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 72stature, and in 73favor with God and people.