Common - Luke - 2

2:1  In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world.

2:2  This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

2:3  And all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

2:4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

2:5  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

2:6  And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.

2:7  And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

2:8  And in that region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

2:10  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

2:11  For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

2:12  And this will be a sign to you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

2:14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

2:15  When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

2:16  And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

2:17  Now when they had seen him, they made widely known the saying which had been told them concerning this child.

2:18  And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

2:19  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

2:20  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

2:21  And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

2:22  And when the time of their purification according to the law of Moses was completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

2:23  (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),

2:24  and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

2:25  Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:26  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

2:27  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

2:28  he took him up in his arms and blessed God, and said:

2:29  "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

2:30  for my eyes have seen your salvation

2:31  which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

2:32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

2:33  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

2:34  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against

2:35  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

2:36  And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,

2:37  and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, but worshipped with fasting and prayer night and day.

2:38  And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

2:39  And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

2:40  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

2:41  His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

2:42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.

2:43  And when the feast was over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

2:44  but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their relatives and acquaintances.

2:45  And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.

2:46  After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

2:47  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

2:48  And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously."

2:49  And he said to them, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?"

2:50  But they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

2:51  Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them, but his mother kept all these things in her heart.

2:52  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.