The Birth of Jesus

(Isaiah 7:10-16; Micah 5:1-6; Matthew 1:18-25)

1And it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world be enrolled — 2this enrollment first came to pass when Cyrenius was governor of Syria — 3and all were going to be enrolled, each to his proper city, 4and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David, 5to enroll himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child. 6And it came to pass, in their being there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth, 7and she brought forth her son — the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.

The Shepherds and Angels

8And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock, 9and lo, a messenger of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear. 10And the messenger said to them, ‘Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people — 11because there was born to you to-day a Saviour — who is Christ the Lord — in the city of David, 12and this [is] to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger.’ 13And suddenly there came with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,

14‘Glory in the highest to God, and upon earth peace, among men — good will.’

15And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, ‘We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.’ 16And they came, having hasted, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger, 17and having seen, they made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the child. 18And all who heard, did wonder concerning the things spoken by the shepherds unto them; 19and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart; 20and the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God, for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken unto them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.

22And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord, 23as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord, — ‘Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,’ 24and to give a sacrifice, according to that said in the Law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.’

The Prophecy of Simeon

25And lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [is] Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him, 26and it hath been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit — not to see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord. 27And he came in the Spirit to the temple, and in the parents bringing in the child Jesus, for their doing according to the custom of the law regarding him, 28then he took him in his arms, and blessed God, and he said,

29‘Now Thou dost send away Thy servant, Lord, according to Thy word, in peace,

30because mine eyes did see Thy salvation,

31which Thou didst prepare before the face of all the peoples,

32a light to the uncovering of nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.’

33And Joseph and his mother were wondering at the things spoken concerning him, 34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, ‘Lo, this [one] is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against — 35(and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through) — that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.’

The Prophecy of Anna

36And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she [is] a widow of about eighty-four years, who did depart not from the temple, with fasts and supplications serving, night and day, 38and she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

(Isaiah 61:1-11; Matthew 2:19-23; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30)

39And when they finished all things, according to the Law of the Lord, they turned back to Galilee, to their city Nazareth; 40and the child grew and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41And his parents were going yearly to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover, 42and when he became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know, 44and, having supposed him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and were seeking him among the kindred and among the acquaintances, 45and not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him. 46And it came to pass, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them, 47and all those hearing him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And, having seen him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him, ‘Child, why didst thou thus to us? lo, thy father and I, sorrowing, were seeking thee.’ 49And he said unto them, ‘Why [is it] that ye were seeking me? did ye not know that in the things of my Father it behoveth me to be?’ 50and they did not understand the saying that he spake to them, 51and he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and he was subject to them, and his mother was keeping all these sayings in her heart,

52and Jesus was advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.