The birth of Jesus
1 Those were the days in which Caesar Augustus issued a decree to take a census of the whole inhabited world. 2 This registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So everyone traveled to their hometown. 4 One of them was Joseph. He went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee into Judea, to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, since he was of the house and lineage of David. 5 He registered together with his fiancée Mary, who was pregnant. 6 And it so happened that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She had a son, her firstborn, whom she wrapped in baby clothes. But she had to lay him in a feeding trough due to the fact that there was not a single room available for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds camping out in the area to watch over their flocks throughout the night. 8 9 Suddenly an angel of the Master stood beside them! The majesty of the Master shone around them as well, and they were extremely terrified. 10 “Don’t be afraid,” the angel said to them, “because I’m here to announce good news to you, of great happiness which extends to all the people. 11 For today a Savior, Christ Master, was born to you in the City of David. 12 And here is a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in baby clothes and lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly the angel was joined by the whole celestial army! They were praising God and saying, 14 “The highest honor to God, and peace on earth to the people with whom he is pleased!” 15 While the angels were leaving them and returning to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “By all means, let’s go over to Bethlehem to see what the Master told us has happened!”
16 So they hurried along and discovered Mary and Joseph, and the infant was lying in the feeding trough. 17 Having seen this, they told everyone about the declaration that had been given to them concerning this little one. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed about what the shepherds told them, 19 but Mary mulled over in her mind what all these things could mean. 20 Then the shepherds returned, honoring and praising God on account of everything they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
Jesus is presented at the temple
21 When the eighth day arrived for him to be circumcised, he was given the name Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of cleansing required by the law of Moses were completed, they took him into Jerusalem to present to the Master. 23 (It is written in the law of the Master that every first-born male is to be consecrated to the Master, 24 and this requires the sacrifice stipulated in the law of the Master: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.)
25 Now there happened to be someone in Jerusalem by the name of Simon. He was a righteous and conscientious person who was expecting the Comfort of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die without first seeing the Master’s Christ. 27 The Spirit prompted him to go into the temple compound, where the parents of little Jesus were admitting him in order to fulfill the custom of the law concerning him.
28 Simon picked up Jesus and held him in his arms, then praised God and said, 29 “Your slave can now be released in peace, my Owner, in accordance with what you declared. 30 For my eyes have seen the salvation 31 you prepared in the presence of all the people, 32 a light of revelation to the other nations and honor to your people, Israel.” 33 These things spoken about Jesus took his father and mother by surprise. 34 Then Simon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Look! This one is set to cause the downfall and arising of many in Israel— and to be a controversial sign. 35 But a broadsword will be thrust through your soul, so that the thoughts in many minds will be exposed.”
36 Now there was another prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was well-advanced in age, having lived with her husband for seven years of their marriage 37 and then being a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple compound, and night and day she offered impassioned prayer and performed divine service. 38 At that very day and hour she came near and praised God, and she spoke about him to all those who were expecting the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 After they had fulfilled everything according to the requirements of the law of the Master, they returned to Galilee, to their home town of Nazareth. 40 Then the little one grew strong and became very wise, and the favor of God was upon him.
Young Jesus challenges the temple teachers
41 Jesus’ parents took him to Jerusalem for the Passover festival each year. 42 They went again as usual when he was twelve years old, 43 and then they returned home, but they were unaware that the boy Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. 44 They presumed he was somewhere among their travelling companions, but after a day’s travel they began to search for him among their relatives and good friends. 45 When they couldn’t find him they went back to Jerusalem to keep searching.
46 It was three days later when they found him. He was sitting among the teachers, listening and asking them questions, 47 and impressing everyone who heard him with his mental prowess and responses. 48 His parents were dumbfounded! But his mother demanded, “Child, look at what you have done to us! Your father and I have been searching frantically for you!”
49 “Why were you looking for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I had to attend to my Father’s affairs?” 50 But they had no idea what he was talking about. 51 Then he went down with them to Nazareth and supported them. His mother carefully noted everything that was said and kept it in mind. 52 Jesus advanced in wisdom and maturity, earning the favor of God and people.
- 8 Shepherds only watched their flocks all night during breeding seasons, in fall and spring. Since Elizabeth was in her sixth month when Jesus was conceived, and Zacharias was serving in the temple during the course of Abia in mid-June, September was the likely time of Jesus’ birth.