LukeChapter 2
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1In those days Caesar Augustus gave an order. He ordered that a list be made of all the people in the whole empire. 2This was the first time a list like this was made. It happened while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3So everyone went to their own hometown to sign up. 4Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee. He went to Judea, to Bethlehem, the city of David. He went there because he came from the family and line of David. 5He went there to sign up with Mary. She was promised to him in marriage, and she was going to have a baby. 6While they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth. Then she laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby. They were watching over their flocks at night. 9Just then an angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone all around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Listen, I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people. 11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord! 12Here is how you will know. You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a huge army of angels from heaven appeared with the angel. They were praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven! And on earth peace to the people he is pleased with!" 15The angels left them and went back into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16So they hurried off. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17After they saw the child, they spread the news they had been told about him. 18Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary kept all these things like treasure. She thought about them deeply in her heart. 20The shepherds went back. They gave glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. 21Eight days later, it was time for the baby to be circumcised. He was named Jesus. This was the name the angel gave him before he was conceived. 22Then came the time for the cleansing ceremony required by the Law of Moses. When it was over, Jesus' parents took him to Jerusalem. They went to present him to the Lord. 23(The Law of the Lord says, "Every firstborn boy must be set apart for the Lord.") 24They also went to offer the sacrifice the Law of the Lord required. It said: "A pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and faithful to God. He was waiting for God to comfort Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. 26The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah. 27The Spirit led him into the temple courts. Jesus' parents brought in the child to do for him what the Law required. 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God. He said, 29"Lord and Master, you have kept your promise. Now let your servant go in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31You have prepared it in the sight of all people. 32It is a light to show your truth to the Gentiles. And it is glory for your people Israel." 33The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them. He said to Mary, the child's mother, "Listen. This child is chosen to cause many in Israel to fall and to rise. He will be a sign that many people speak against. 35So the thoughts of many hearts will be shown. And a sword will cut through your own soul too." 36There was also a prophet named Anna. She was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had been married for seven years. 37Then her husband died, and she lived as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple. She worshiped God night and day, going without food and praying. 38She came up to them at that very moment. She gave thanks to God. And she spoke about the child to everyone who was waiting for God to redeem Jerusalem. 39Jesus' parents did everything the Law of the Lord required. Then they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. 41Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast as they always did. 43When the feast was over, his parents started back home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know he had stayed. 44They thought he was with the group they were traveling with. So they traveled for a whole day. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they could not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46At last, after three days, they found him in the temple courts. He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at how much he understood and at his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been so worried. We've been looking everywhere for you." 49"Why were you looking for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51Then he went back to Nazareth with them, and he obeyed them. And his mother kept all these things like treasure in her heart. 52Jesus grew in wisdom and in size. And God and people were more and more pleased with him.