Luke - Chapter 2

Passage

And it happened that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This first enrollment was made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each one to his own city. And Joseph 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. To be enrolled with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child. And it happened that while they were there, her days were completed that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds living in the fields and keeping the night watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they were very much afraid. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good news of great joy that shall be to all the people: For, this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will. And it happened, after the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this word that has happened, which the Lord has shown to us. And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And seeing, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this child. And all who heard wondered at the things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them. And after eight days were completed, when the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were completed, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: And to offer a sacrifice, as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was in him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said: Now you dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word in peace: Because my eyes have seen your salvation, Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: A light for the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. And his father and mother were wondering at the things that were spoken about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold, this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And your own soul a sword shall pierce, so that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was far advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until eighty-four years of age: she did not leave the temple, serving night and day with fasting and prayer. Now she, coming in at that same hour, gave praise to the Lord: and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel. And after they had done all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, on the solemn day of the pasch. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast. And when they had completed the days and were returning, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it. And thinking that he was in the company, they went a day's journey and looked for him among their relatives and friends. And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why have you done so to us? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you in sorrow. And he said to them: Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business? And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and age and grace with God and men.