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2
The Birth of Jesus
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken of all the empire. 2 This census was the first one while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 And all were traveling to be registered, each to his own city.
4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to bear. 7 And she bore her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And shepherds were in the same country, living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not fear, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go then to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled about the things spoken by the shepherds to them. 19 But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was spoken to them.
The Circumcision of Jesus
21 And when eight days were completed, so they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 Now when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what had been said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
The Song and Prophecy of Simeon
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he should see the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, that they might do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “Lord, now You are releasing Your servant in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light for a revelation to the Gentiles,
And a glory to Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother were marveling at the things being spoken about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The Testimony of Hannah
36 Now there was one, Hannah, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and she was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she was giving thanks to the Lord, and was speaking about Him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child was growing and becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Young Jesus in the Temple
41 And His parents traveled to Jerusalem every year to the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, when they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, 43 and when they completed the days, while they were returning, the Child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother did not know it. 44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and among their acquaintances. 45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. 47 And those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. 48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Look, Your father and I were seeking You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were seeking Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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© 2014 Dr. Paul W. Esposito