The Birth of Jesus

1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the empire.

2This census was the first one while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3And all were traveling to be registered, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant.

6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to bear.

7And she bore her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8And shepherds were in the same country, living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

10Then the angel said to them, “Do not fear, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15So it was, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go then to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

18And all those who heard it marveled about the things spoken by the shepherds to them.

19But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken to them.

The Circumcision of Jesus

21And when eight days were completed, so they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22Now when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),

24and to offer a sacrifice according to what had been said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

The Song and Prophecy of Simeon

25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he should see the Lord's Christ.

27So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, that they might do for Him according to the custom of the law,

28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29“Lord, now You are releasing Your servant in peace,
According to Your word;

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32A light for a revelation to the Gentiles,
And a glory to Your people Israel.”

33And Joseph and His mother were marveling at the things being spoken about Him.

34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against

35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Testimony of Hannah

36Now there was one, Hannah, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

37and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And coming in that instant she was giving thanks to the Lord, and was speaking about Him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.

39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

40And the Child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Young Jesus in the Temple

41And His parents traveled to Jerusalem every year to the Feast of the Passover.

42And when He was twelve years old, when they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast,

43and when they completed the days, while they were returning, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother did not know it.

44But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and among their acquaintances.

45And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

46Now it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them.

47And those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers.

48And when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Look, Your father and I were seeking You anxiously.”

49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were seeking Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?”

50But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.