1   In those days a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus for a registration to be made throughout the Roman world. 2   This was the first registration of its kind; it took place when Quirinius ^note was governor of Syria. 3   For this purpose everyone made his way to his own town; 4   and so Joseph went up to Judaea from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, 5   to register at the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David by descent; and with him went Mary who was betrothed to him. 6   She was expecting a child, and while they were there the time came for her baby to be born, 7   and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in his swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them to lodge in the house.

8   Now in this same district there were shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch through the night over their flock, 9   when suddenly there stood before them an angel of the Lord, and the splendour of the Lord shone round them. 10   They were terror-stricken, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid; I have good news for you: there is great joy coming to the whole people. 11   Today in the city of David a deliverer has been born to you—the Messiah, the Lord. ^note 12   And this is your sign: you will find a baby lying wrapped in his swaddling clothes, in a manger.’ 13   All at once there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly host, singing the praises of God:

     14   ‘Glory to God in highest heaven,
  and on earth his peace for men on whom his favour rests.’ ^note

15   After the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherds said to one another, ‘Come, we must go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16   So they went with all speed and found their way to Mary and Joseph; and the baby was lying in the manger. 17   When they saw

The coming of Christ him, they recounted what they had been told about this child; 18   and all who heard were astonished at what the shepherds said. 19   But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered over them. 20   Meanwhile the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen; it had all happened as they had been told.

21   Eight days later the time came to circumcise him, and he was given the name Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

22   Then, after their purification had been completed in accordance with the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as prescribed in the law of the Lord: 23   ‘Every first-born male shall be deemed to belong to the Lord’), 24   and also to make the offering as stated in the law: ‘A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.’

25   There was at that time in Jerusalem a man called Simeon. This man was upright and devout, one who watched and waited for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26   It had been disclosed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27   Guided by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the Law, 28   he took him in his arms, praised God, and said:

29   ‘This day, Master, thou givest thy servant his discharge in peace;
  now thy promise is fulfilled.
30   For I have seen with my own eyes
31   the deliverance which thou hast made ready in full view of all the nations:
32   a light that will be a revelation to the heathen,
  and glory to thy people Israel.’

33   The child's father and mother were full of wonder at what was being said about him. 34   Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘This child is destined to be a sign which men reject; 35   and you too shall be pierced to the heart. Many in Israel will stand or fall ^note because of him, and thus the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare.’

36   There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was a very old woman, who had lived seven

The coming of Christ years with her husband after she was first married, 37   and then alone as a widow to the age of eighty-four. ^noteShe never left the temple, but worshipped day and night, fasting and praying. 38   Coming up at that very moment, she returned thanks to God; and she talked about the child to all who were looking for the liberation of Jerusalem.

39   When they had done everything prescribed in the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40   The child grew big and strong and full of wisdom; and God's favour was upon him.

41   Now it was the practice of his parents to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival; 42   and when he was twelve, they made the pilgrimage as usual. 43   When the festive season was over and they started for home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know of this; 44   but thinking that he was with the party they journeyed on for a whole day, and only then did they begin looking for him among their friends and relations. 45   As they could not find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him; 46   and after three days they found him sitting in the temple surrounded by the teachers, listening to them and putting questions; 47   and all who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and the answers he gave. 48   His parents were astonished to see him there, and his mother said to him, ‘My son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ 49   ‘What made you search?’ he said. ‘Did you not know that I was bound to be in my Father's house?’ 50   But they did not understand what he meant. 51   Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and continued to be under their authority; his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52   As Jesus grew up he advanced in wisdom and in favour with God and men.

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