Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be registered.

2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governing Syria.

3 Everybody had to go back to their own town to be counted.

4 So Joseph went up from Galilee, from Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was from David’s line.

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was engaged to him and pregnant.

6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 There were shepherds in that same region, staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night.

9 Then an angel of the Lord showed up, and the glory of the Lord lit everything up around them, and they were shook.

10 But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news, great joy for all people.

11 Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you, He is Christ the Lord.

12 This will be your sign: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, a whole army of heaven showed up with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people He favors.”

15 When the angels left and went back into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, what the Lord told us about.”

16 They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

17 After they saw Him, they told everybody what they had been told about this child.

18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds said.

19 But Mary held onto all these things, thinking deeply about them.

20 The shepherds went back praising God for everything they had seen and heard, it all happened just like they were told.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 When eight days passed and it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived.

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,,

23 just as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male is to be set apart to the Lord?”

24 and to offer a sacrifice, “a pair of doves or two young pigeons,” just like the law says.

25 There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous, devoted, and waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.

27 Led by the Spirit, he came into the temple. When Joseph and Mary brought in the child Jesus to do what the law required,

28 Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Now, Lord, You can let Your servant go in peace, just like You promised.

30 My eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 which You prepared in front of all people,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for 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, “This child is set for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

35 so the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed, and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet named Anna, daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.

38 At that moment, she came up, started giving thanks to God, and spoke about the child to everyone who was waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 When they had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40 The child kept growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on Him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

42 When He was twelve years old, they went up as usual.

43 After the festival was over, they were heading back, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and His parents did not realize it.

44 Thinking He was in the group, they traveled a full day, then started looking for Him among their relatives and friends.

45 When they could not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for Him.

46 After three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

47 Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48 When His parents saw Him, they were shocked. His mother said, “Son, why did You do this to us, Your father and I have been searching for You, stressed out.”

49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for Me, Did you not know I had to be in My Father’s house?”

50 But they did not understand what He meant.

51 Then He went back down with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept growing in wisdom and stature, gaining favor with God and with people.