1In those days an order went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(This was the first taxing, made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3So everyone went to be taxed, each to his own city.
4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. He went there because he was of the house and family line of David.
5He went to be taxed with Mary, the wife promised to him, who was far on in her pregnancy.
6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8In that same country there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9Look, the angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were terribly afraid.
10The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people."
11"Today in the city of David a Saviour has been born for you. He is Christ the Lord."
12"And this will be a sign to you. You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great crowd of the armies of heaven was with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
17When they had seen him, they spread the word about what had been told them concerning this child.
18All who heard it were amazed at the things the shepherds told them.
19But Mary kept all these things and thought deeply about them in her heart.
20The shepherds went back, giving glory and praise to God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
21When eight days were over and the child was circumcised, he was named JESUS. This was the name the angel gave him before he was conceived in the womb.
22When the days of her purifying were over, as the law of Moses says, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
23(It is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.")
24They also came to offer a sacrifice, as it is said in the law of the Lord: "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25Look, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was just and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26It had been shown to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27He came by the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what the law required,
28he took him up in his arms and blessed God, and said,
29"Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, as you promised."
30"For my eyes have seen your salvation,"
31"which you have prepared before the face of all people;"
32"a light to give light to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
33Joseph and his mother wondered at the things that were said about him.
34Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, "Look, this child is set for the fall and the rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against."
35"(Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul too.) So the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."
36There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was very old. She had lived with a husband seven years after she was married,
37and then had been a widow of about eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.
38She came up at that very moment and also gave thanks to the Lord. She spoke about him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39When they had done everything the law of the Lord required, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
40The child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
42When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as the custom of the feast was.
43When the days of the feast were over and they started home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it.
44They thought he was somewhere in the group, and they travelled a day's journey. Then they looked for him among their relatives and friends.
45When they did not find him, they turned back to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.
48When his parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."
49He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?"
50But they did not understand what he said to them.
51He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he obeyed them. But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52And Jesus grew in wisdom and in height, and in favour with God and man.