Luke Chapter 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time Caesar Augustus issued a decree to take a census of the Roman Empire. 2 That was the first census, when Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 Everyone went to his ancestral city to register. 4 Joseph went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judaea, to Bethlehem, David’s city because he’d descended from David. 5 He went up to register with Mary, who was engaged to him and pregnant. 6 While they were there, she came due 7 and had her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn.
Lk 2:1-7
The Angels and the Shepherds
8 Nearby, shepherds were watching sheep outdoors at night. 9 An angel of the LORD stood beside them, and the brightness of the LORD shined around them. They were really afraid. 10 The angel said,
“You don’t need to be afraid; I have good news for you that will make everybody happy. 11 A Savior was born today in David’s city: the Messiah the Lord. 12 You’ll find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 All of a sudden, a vast host of angels in the sky joined the angel, praising God:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth among people he favors.”
15 When the angels went back to heaven, the shepherds said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the LORD’s told us about.” 16 They hurried away and found Mary and Joseph and the baby that was lying in a manger. 17 When they’d seen him, they told everybody what the angel had said about him. 18 What the shepherds were saying amazed them. 19 Mary treasured all that up in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for everything they’d seen and heard, which was just like the angel said.
Lk 2:8-20
Jesus’ Circumcision, Naming,
and Presentation in the Temple
21 When eight days had passed for circumcising him, they named him Jesus, like the angel had directed before Mary became pregnant.
22 When the time was up for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they went up to Jerusalem to present him to the LORD — 23 like the Law of the LORD says,
“Set aside to the LORD every male firstborn” [Ex 13:2, 12, 15]—
24 and to offer the sacrifice the Law called for:
“a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” [Lev 12:8].
25 A man in Jerusalem named Simeon, a good, devout man, was looking forward to Israel’s liberation. The Holy Spirit was on him and 26 told him that he’d see the LORD’s Messiah before he died. 27 The Spirit led him into the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to custom, 28 he took him in his arms and blessed God:
29 “Now, Master, I can leave satisfied
like you said.
30 I’ve seen the salvation
31 you’ve prepared for all nations,
32 a light for revelation to Gentiles
and for the honor of your people Israel.”
33 He amazed Joseph and Mary with what he was saying. 34 He blessed them and told Mary, “This child is destined to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel and to be a controversial sign. 35 A sword will pierce your own heart too; lots of people will show what they’re really like.”
36 There was Hannah as well, a prophetess, daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. She was quite elderly, married for seven years 37 and then a widow to age 84. She never left the Temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer day and night. 38 She came up and thanked God and talked about the child to everyone that was anticipating Jerusalem’s liberation.
39 When Mary and Joseph had finished what the Law required, they went back home. 40 The child grew and became strong and increased in wisdom. God’s grace was on him.
Lk 2:21-40
The Youth of Jesus
41 Every year his parents would go up to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve, they went up to the festival as usual. 43 After it was over, they headed back; but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it; 44 they thought he was in the caravan. They traveled for a day and started looking for him among relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem. 46 Three days later they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking them questions. 47 Everybody that heard him was surprised at his understanding and answers.
48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking all over for you, worried sick.”
49 He said, “Why were you looking all over for me? Wouldn’t you know I’d be in my Father’s house?”
50 They didn’t get what he meant.
51 He went down with them to Nazareth and was subject to them. His mother treasured all that up in her heart. 52 Jesus kept growing in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and people.
Lk 2:41-52