Luke:2

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* IN those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for the registration of the whole world . * This first registration took place while Cyrenius was Governor of Syria . * Everybody went to be registered \'97 each to his own city . * Joseph went up from Galilee , from the city of Nazareth , to Judaea , to the city of David , which is called Bethlehem , because he was of the house and lineage of David , * to be registered with Mary who was betrothed to him , and was with child . * While they were there , her time came * and she gave birth to her son , her first-born , and she wrapped him up and laid him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn . * There were shepherds in the same country staying in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night . * Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them . They were much afraid , * but the angel said to them , "Have no fear ! Indeed , I am bringing you good news of a great joy which is to be for all the people ; * for there was born for you to-day in the city of David a Savior , who is Christ and Lord . * This will be a sign for you : you will find the babe wrapped up and lying in a manger ." * And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude from the army of heaven , praising God , and saying , * "Glory in highest heaven to God , and peace on earth among men in whom he delights ." * When the angels went away into heaven , the shepherds spoke to one another : "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this that has happened , which the Lord has made known to us ." * So they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph , and the babe lying in the manger . * When they saw it , they told what had been spoken to them about this child . * All who heard it wondered at what was said to them by the shepherds . * Mary kept all these things , pondering them in her heart . * Then the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen , just as it had been told them . * When eight days had passed and the time to circumcise him had come , his name was called Jesus \'97 the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb . * When the days of their purification were completed , according to the law of Moses , they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord , * as it is written in the Law of the Lord , "Every firstborn male shall be called holy to the Lord ," * and to give an offering according to what is said in the law of the Lord , "a pair of doves or two young pigeons ." * There was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon , and this man was upright and God-fearing , looking forward to the consolation of Israel , and the Holy Spirit was upon him . * It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he was not to see death before he saw the Lord 's Christ . * Led by the Spirit he came into the Temple courts , and when the parents brought in the child Jesus in order to do for him according to the custom of the law , * he took him into his arms and blessed God , and said , * "Now , O Lord , thou art letting thy servant depart in peace , according to thy word . * For mine eyes have seen thy salvation , * which thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples , * a light for revelation to Gentiles and a glory to thy people Israel ." * His father and his mother wondered at the things that were spoken about him . * Simeon blessed them , and said to Mary his mother , "This child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign much spoken against * * And there was Anna , a prophetess , a daughter of Phanuel , of the tribe of Asher . She was far advanced in years , having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood * and having been a widow for now eighty-four years . She never left the Temple courts , but worshiped by fastings and prayers , night and day . * She too came up at that time and praised God and spoke about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem . * When they had completed all things according to the law of the Lord , they returned to Galilee to their own city Nazareth . * The child grew and became strong and was filled with wisdom , and the grace of God was upon him . * His parents used to go up every year to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover . * When he had reached the age of twelve years , and they had gone up according to the custom of the feast * and had completed the days and were returning , the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem . But his parents did not know it . * Thinking that he was in the company , they went a day 's journey . But when they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances * and did not find him , they returned to Jerusalem searching for him . * On the third day they found him in the Temple courts , sitting in the midst of the teachers , listening to them and asking them questions . * All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers . * When his parents saw him , they were amazed , and his mother said to him , "Child , why have you treated us so ? See , your father and I have been searching for you in great distress ." * He said to them , * They did not understand the words that he spoke . * Then he went down with them , and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them . His mother kept all these sayings in her heart . * And Jesus grew in wisdom and in height and in favor with God and with men .

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