The Birth of Jesus
1In those days an edict went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole inhabited world should be registered. 2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4So Joseph too went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he belonged to the house and family line of David, 5to register together with Mary, who was pledged to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth, 7and she gave birth to her son, the firstborn. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the lodging place.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8In that same region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock through the night. 9An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord blazed around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of a great joy that belongs to the whole people: 11today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born for you — he is the Christ, the Lord. 12And here is the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13All at once a great company of the heavenly army joined the angel, praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those he favors.” 15When the angels had left them and gone back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Come, let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17Once they had seen him, they told what they had been told about this child, 18and everyone who heard the shepherds was amazed at what they said. 19But Mary treasured all these words and turned them over in her heart. 20The shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
Presented in the Temple
21When eight days had passed and it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus — the name the angel had given him before he was conceived in the womb. 22When the days of their purification were complete, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23as it is written in the law of the Lord: every male who is first to open the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. 24They also came to offer the sacrifice named in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was upright and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27Moved by the Spirit he came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the law required, 28Simeon took him into his arms, blessed God and said: 29“Now, Master, you are releasing your servant in peace, just as you promised, 30for my own eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have made ready in the sight of all peoples: 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” 33His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Listen: this child is appointed for the fall and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against — 35and a sword will pass through your own soul as well — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.”
Anna the Prophet
36There was also a prophet, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well advanced in years; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer. 38Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had carried out everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up as the custom of the festival required. 43After the days were over and they started home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it. 44Supposing he was somewhere in the caravan, they traveled a day before they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they did not find him, they turned back to Jerusalem, still searching. 46After three days they found him in the temple, seated among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47Everyone who heard him was astounded at his understanding and at his answers. 48When his parents saw him they were stunned, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish.” 49He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50But they did not grasp what he was telling them. 51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus advanced in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.
