Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire [ Roman ] world. 2 This [was the] first census to take place [while] ▼

▼Or This was the census before

Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 [So] Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to [the] City of David called Bethlehem, since he was from [the] house and line of David. 5 [He went there] to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage [and] was expecting a child. 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 room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9 Just then, an angel of [the] Lord stood before 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 behold, I bring you good news [of] great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in [the] City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ [the] Lord! 12 And this [will be] a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of [the] heavenly host, praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in [the] highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” 15 When the angels had left them [and gone] into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go 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 the manger. 17 [After] they had seen [the Child] , they spread the message they had received about [Him] . 18 And all who heard [it] were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things [and] pondered [them] in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as [the angel] had told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 When [the] eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given [Him] before He had been conceived. 22 And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, [His parents] brought Him to Jerusalem to present [Him] to the Lord 23 (as it is written in [the] Law of [the] Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord” ), ▼

▼Exodus 13:2,12

24 and to offer [the] sacrifice specified in the Law of [the] Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” ▼

▼Leviticus 12:8

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, [who] [was] righteous and devout. He was waiting for [the] consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 The Holy Spirit had revealed to him [that he would] not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 [Led by] the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And 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 “ - Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to [the] Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” 33 [The Child’s] father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this [Child] is appointed [to cause] [the] rise and fall of many in Israel, and [to be] a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that [the] thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36 There was also a prophetess [named] Anna, [the] daughter of Phanuel, of [the] tribe of Asher, [who] was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, 37 and then [was] a widow [to the age of] eighty-four. ▼

▼Or was a widow for eighty-four years

[She] never left the temple, [but] worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about [the Child] to all who were waiting for [the] redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 When [Jesus’ parents] had done everything required by the Law of [the] Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their [own] town of Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and [the] grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years [old] , they went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43 [When] those days were over [and] they were returning [home] , the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware [He had stayed] . 44 Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day [before] they began to look for Him among [their] relatives and friends. 45 When they could not find [Him] , they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 Finally, 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 astounded at His understanding and [His] answers. 48 When [His parents] saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “ - Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “vvv Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s [ house ] ?” ▼

▼Or be about my Father's business

50 But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. 51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was subject to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.