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those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that the entire Roman world was to be registered. 2 This was the first registration that took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. 5 He went there to be registered with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her child to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that same region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good tidings of a great joy that will be for all people. 11 Today in the City of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among men whom He favours!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
21 When eight days had passed, it was time for His circumcision, and His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He had been conceived.
22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is stated in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So guided by the Spirit he went to the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, 28 Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word.
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “This child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against— 35 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped there with fasting and prayers night and day. 38 At that moment she came up, and began to give thanks to the Lord and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had completed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When He was twelve years old, they went up to the feast, according to the custom. 43 After the feast had ended, while His parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they did not know it. 44 Assuming that He was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they began to search for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days they found Him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”
49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what He was saying to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with people.