The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the known world. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to register, each to their own town.
Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee into Judea, Bethlehem, the city of David, because he was from the house and family of David. He went to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time had come for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no space in the guest room.
There were shepherds living in the fields nearby and keeping watch over their flocks at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood among them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Y’all don’t be afraid! I am bringing y’all good news that will bring great joy to all the people. For today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to y’all. He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to y’all: y’all will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, a vast heavenly army appeared with the angel praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, peace toward the humans ʜᴇ is pleased with.”When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened and that the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw him, they spread the word that had been spoken to them about this child, and all who heard it marveled at the things the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus
When eight days had passed and it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived in the womb. 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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb+2:23 “opens the womb” means the first child to be born is to be dedicated to the Lord [YHWH]”),+Exo 13:12 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”+Lev 12:8
Two Saints Recognize Jesus as Christ
Now, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was 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 would die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Guided by the Spirit, he went into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary in the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God, saying,
“Now Sovereign Master, you can dismiss your slave in peace, according to your promise. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people groups, a light for revelation to the ethnic groups, and the glory of your people Israel.”The child’s father and mother marveled at the things that were being said about him. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Indeed, 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. —and a sword will pierce through your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was quite old, having lived with her husband seven years after her virginity,+2:36 or their marriage. This is the same root word used to refer to Mary as a virgin. and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never departed from the temple, serving night and day through fasting and prayer. At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak of the child to everyone who was expectantly awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had done everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. The child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Young Jesus Visits the Temple
Every year, Jesus’s parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went there again according to the custom of the Feast. When they feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was in their company, they went on a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? See, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
“Why were y’all looking for me?” he replied. “Didn’t y’all know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down with them to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus continued to progress in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and humans.