The Birth of Jesus
(Isaiah 7:10-16; Micah 5:1-6; Matthew 1:18-25)

1And it came to pass in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the world. 2This registration first took place whena Quirinius was governing Syria. 3And all were going to be registered, each to his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David, 5to register with Mary the one being betrothed to him, she being with child.

6And it came to pass, in their being there, the days of her giving birth were fulfilled. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared with great fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy, which will be to all the people. 11For today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this is the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger.”

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

14“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!”

15And it came to pass, as the angels were departing from them into the heaven, the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go through indeed as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this word that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16And having hurried, they came and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby, lying in the manger. 17And having seen, they proclaimed abroad concerning the saying having been told them concerning this Child. 18And all those having heard marveled concerning the things having been spoken to them by the shepherds. 19But Mary was treasuring up all these matters, pondering them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it was said to them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21And when eight days to circumcise Him were fulfilled, then His name was called Jesus, which He had been called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of their purification were fulfilled according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present to the Lord 23(as it has been written in the Law of the Lord: “Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord”b), 24and to offer a sacrifice, according to that having been said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.”c

The Prophecy of Simeon

25And behold, 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. 26And it was divinely revealed to him by the Holy Spirit not to see death before that he should see the Lord’s Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple. And in the time when the parents were bringing in the child Jesus, the thing they were doing for Him according to that having become customary by the Law, 28then he received Him into the arms, and blessed God, and said:

29“Now Lord, You dismiss Your servant in peace,

according to Your word.

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

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

32a light for revelation of the Gentiles,

and glory of Your people Israel.”

33And His father and mother were marveling at the things having been spoken concerning Him. 34And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary:

“Behold, this Child is appointed

for the falling and rising up of many in Israel,

and for a sign spoken against—

35and a sword also will go through your own soul—

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She, being advanced greatly in years, had lived with a husband seven years from her marriage, 37and she was a widow of about eighty-four years,d who did not depart the temple, serving with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And having come up at that hour, she was giving praise to the Lord and was speaking concerning Him to all those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth
(Isaiah 61:1-11; Matthew 2:19-23; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30)

39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their town, Nazareth. 40And the Child continued to grow and become strong, being filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41And His parents were going to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they having gone up according to the custom of the Feast, 43and having completed the days, in their returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know. 44And having supposed Him to be in their company, they went a day’s journey, and began seeking Him among the relatives and the acquaintances; 45and not having found Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

46And it came to pass after three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. 47And all those hearing Him were amazed at His understanding and answers.

48And having seen Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Child why have You done thus to us? Behold, Your father and I were seeking You, distressing.”

49And He said to them, “Why is it that you were seeking Me? Did you not know that it behooves Me to be in the house of My Father?”e 50And they did not understand the word that He spoke to them.

51And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them. And His mother was treasuring up all these matters in her heart.

52And Jesus continued to advance in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.