Now it happened in
those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world
should be enrolled. This
was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to enroll
themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who
was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
It happened, while they
were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. She brought forth her firstborn
son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding
trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There were shepherds in the same
country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Behold, an angel of the
Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were terrified. The angel
said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you, this
day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will
find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
Suddenly, there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
on earth peace, good will toward men."
It happened, when the
angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to
another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has made known to us." They came with haste, and found
both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
When they saw it, they
publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
All who heard it wondered
at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings,
pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and
seen, just as it was told them.
When eight days were
fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus,
which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When the days of their
purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought
him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of
the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the
Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
Behold, there was a
man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to
him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the
Lord's Christ. He came in the Spirit into the
temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do
concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his
arms, and blessed God, and said,
which you have
prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for
revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel."
Joseph and his mother
were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said
to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and
the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
Yes, a sword will pierce
through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed."
There was one Anna, a
prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a
great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
and she had been a widow
for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple,
worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she
gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking
for redemption in Jerusalem.
When they had
accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they
returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The child was growing, and was
becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God
was upon him.
His parents
went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
When he was twelve
years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,
and when they had
fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn't know it, but supposing him to be in the
company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their
relatives and acquaintances. When they didn't find him, they
returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. It happened after three days they
found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both
listening to them, and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at
his understanding and his answers. When they saw him, they were
astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us
this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you."
He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must
be in my Father's house?" They didn't understand the saying
which he spoke to them. And he went down with them, and
came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these
sayings in her heart. And
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
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