Now in those days an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken.

So everyone was going to his own town to register.

Now there were some shepherds in the same neighborhood, living in the open fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

Meanwhile Jesus grew constantly in wisdom and in body, and in favor with God and man.

His parents were in the habit of going to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

for today, in the town of David, a Saviour for you has been born, who is to be your Messiah and Lord.

But the angel said to them: "Stop being afraid, for now I bring you good tidings of great joy which is to be for all the people;

"Glory to God in highest heaven! And peace on earth to men who please him."

Now when the period of their purification ended, in accordance with the law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, to do as it is written in the law of the Lord,

When He was eight days old and it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before Mary had conceived Him.

and she bore her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him up and laid Him in a manger, for there was no room for them at the inn.

Now there was in Jerusalem a man named Symeon, an upright, devout man; he was expecting to see the consolation of Israel, and he was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And the child continued to grow and gain in strength; He continued to increase in wisdom, and the spiritual blessing of God was on Him.

There was also a prophetess there, Hannah, a daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher.

to register with Mary who was engaged to be married to him and who was an expectant mother.

Then He said to them, "Why is it that you were searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

And Joseph too went up from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to the town of David in Judea called Bethlehem, because he was a descendant of the house and family of David,

So they hurried to the place and found Joseph and Mary; also the baby lying in the manger.

"Every first born male shall be counted consecrated to the Lord,"

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die without seeing the Lord's Messiah.

And all who heard it were astounded at what was told them by the shepherds,

When they saw this, they informed them of the story that had been told about this child.

and to offer the sacrifice in accordance with what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons."

Then the shepherds went back continuing to give glory and praise to God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

So under the Spirit's guidance he went into the temple, and when the parents brought the child Jesus there to do for Him as the custom of the law required,

Symeon also took Him in his arms and blessed God, and said:

"Now, Master, you will let your slave go free in peace, as you have promised;

Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a throng of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

a light of revelation to the heathen, and a glory to your people Israel."

Then an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, so that they were fearfully frightened.

Then Symeon gave them his blessing, and said to Mary, the child's mother, "This child is destined to bring the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign continuously disputed --

And after three days they finally found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

yea, a sword will pierce your heart -- so that the secret purposes of many hearts will be revealed."

but Mary continued to treasure it all up and to ponder it in her heart.

for my eyes have seen your Salvation,

Then when the angel left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has told us."

She was very old; from girlhood she had lived seven years with a husband, and now had been a widow eighty years. She never left the temple, but continued to worship all day and all night with fastings and prayers.

This, the first census, was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Now when they had completed everything that was in accordance with the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

So He went back to Nazareth with them and continued to obey them. But His mother continued to treasure up all these sayings in her heart.

And when He was twelve years old, they went up as usual to the feast

When His parents saw Him, they were utterly amazed, and yet His mother said to Him, "My child, why did you treat us so? Just see how your father and I, in agony of mind, have been searching for you!"

Just at that time she came up and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem.

And this is proof for you: You will find a baby wrapped up and lying in a manger."

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth,

And His father and mother kept wondering at the things spoken by Symeon about Him.

and stayed the usual time. When they returned, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were not aware of it.

Now everyone who was listening to Him was showing astonishment at His intelligence and at His answers.

which you prepared before all peoples,

They supposed that He was somewhere in the caravan, and so they traveled a whole day before they began to make an anxious search for Him among His relatives and acquaintances.

But they did not understand what He said to them.

As they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem in anxious search for Him.