The Birth of Jesus

(Isaiah 7:10-16; Micah 5:1-6; Matthew 1:18-25)

1Just at this time an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole Empire. 2It was the first registration made during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria; 3and all went to be registered—every one to the town to which he belonged. 4So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to David's town of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to have himself registered together with Mary, who was betrothed to him and was with child. 6But while they were there, her full time came, 7and she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped Him round, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and Angels

8Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country, keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields, 9when suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them; and they were filled with terror. 10But the angel said to them, "Put away all fear; for I am bringing you good news of great joy—joy for all the People. 11For a Saviour who is the Anointed Lord is born to you to-day, in the town of David. 12And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." 13And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the army of Heaven praising God and saying,

14"Glory be to God in the highest Heavens, And on earth peace among men who please Him!"

15Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go over as far as Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16So they made haste and came and found Mary and Joseph, with the babe lying in the manger. 17And when they saw the child, they told what had been said to them about Him; 18and all who listened were astonished at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, often dwelling on them in her mind. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen in accordance with the announcement made to them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21When eight days had passed and the time for circumcising Him had come, He was called JESUS, the name given Him by the angel before His conception in the womb.

22And when the days for their purification appointed by the Law of Moses had passed, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord— 23as it is written in the Law of the Lord: "Every first-born male shall be called holy to the Lord." 24And they also offered a sacrifice as commanded in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."

The Prophecy of Simeon

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an upright and God-fearing man, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26To him it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death until he had seen the Lord's Anointed One. 27Led by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do with regard to Him according to the custom of the Law, 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29"Now, O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost send Thy servant away in peace, in fulfilment of Thy word,

30Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,

31Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations—

32A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel."

33And while the child's father and mother were wondering at the words of Symeon concerning Him, 34Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, "This child is appointed for the falling and the uprising of many in Israel and for a token to be spoken against; 35and a sword will pierce through your own soul also; that the reasonings in many hearts may be revealed."

The Prophecy of Anna

36There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life, 37and then being a widow of eighty-four years. She was never absent from the Temple, but worshipped, by day and by night, with fasting and prayer. 38And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and spoke about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

(Isaiah 61:1-11; Matthew 2:19-23; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30)

39Then, as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the favour of God rested upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41Now His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old they went up as was customary at the time of the Feast, and, 43after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this, 44but supposing Him to be in the travelling company, they proceeded a day's journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among their relatives and acquaintances; 45but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquiry for Him. 46On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions, 47while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at the answers He gave. 48When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His mother said to Him, "My child, why have you behaved thus to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish." 49"Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?" 50But they did not understand the significance of these words. 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all these incidents in her memory.

52And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.