Luke
Chapter Two
Modern
Speech
.
In
those days an edict was issued by Caesar Agustus for a census of the whole
Empire. It was the first census made during the governorship of Quirinius
in Syria; and all went to be registered -- every one to the town to which
he belonged. So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth,
to Judaea, to David's town of Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, to have himself registered together with Mary, who was
betrothed to him and was with child. While they were there, her full
time came, and she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped Him round,
and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now
there were shepherds in the same part of the country keeping watch over
their sheep by night in the open fields, when suddenly an angel of the
Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them; and they
were filled with terror. But the angel said to them,
"Put
away all fear; for I am bringing you good news of great joy -- joy for
all the people. For a Savior who is the Christ is born to you to-day,
in the town of David. And this is the token for you: you will find
a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
And
immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the host of heaven
praising God and saying,
"Glory
be to God in the highest heavens, And on earth peace among men in whom
He is well pleased!"
Then,
as soon as the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds
said to one another,
"Let
us now go as far as Bethlehem and see what this occurrence is that the
Lord has made known to us."
So
they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph, with the babe lying in the
manger. And when they saw the child, they told what had been said
to them about Him; and all who listened were astonished at what the shepherds
told them. But Mary treasured up all their story, often dwelling
on it in her mind. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising
God for all that they had heard and seen, agreeing as it did with what
had been told to them.
When
eight days had passed and the time for circumcising Him had come, He was
called Jesus, the name given Him by the angel before His conception in
the womb.
And
when the days for their purification appointed by the law of Moses had
passed, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as it
is written in the Law of the Lord: "EVERY FIRST-BORN MALE SHALL BE CALLED
HOLY TO THE LORD" (EXODUS 13:2)
And
also to offer a sacrifice, as commanded in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR
OF TURTLE DOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS" (LEVITICUS 12:8)
Now
there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an upright and God-fearing
man, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit
was upon him. To him it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that
he should not see death until he had seen the Lord's Anointed One. Led
by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the
babe Jesus to carry out with regard to Him the custom of the Law, he took
Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
"Now,
O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost release Thy servant in peace, in fulfillment
of Thy word, Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast
made ready in the sight of all nations -- A light to shine upon the Gentiles,
And the glory of Thy people Israel."
And
while the child's father and mother were wondering at the words of Symeon
concerning Him, Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother,
"This
child is appointed for the falling and for the uprising of many in Israel
and for a sign to be spoken against; and a sword will pierce through your
own soul also; that the reasonings in many hearts may be revealed."
There
was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the
tribe of Asher. She was a very great age, having had after her maidenhood
seven years of married life, and then being a widow of eighty-four years.
She was never absent from the Temple, but worshiped, by day and by night,
with fasting and prayer. And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks
to God, and spoke about the child to all who were expecting the redemption
of Jerusalem.
Then,
as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required, they returned
to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and
became strong and full of wisdom, and the grace of God rested upon Him.
Now
His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the feast of the
Passover. And when He was twelve years old they went up as was customary
at the time of the feast, and after staying the full number of days, they
started back home; but the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His
parents did not discover this, but supposing Him to be in the caravan,
they proceeded a day's journey. Then they searched up and down for
Him among their relatives and acquaintances; but being unable to find Him
they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquire for Him.
On
the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the rabbis, both
listening to them and asking them questions, while all who heard Him were
astonished at His intelligence and at the answers He gave. When they
saw Him, they were amazed, and His mother said to Him,
"My
child, why have you behaved thus to us? Your father and I have ben searching
for you in sore anxiety."
"Why
is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know
that I must be in my Father's house?"
But
they did not understand the meaning of these words.
Then
He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; but
His mother carefully treasured up all these incidents in her heart.
And Jesus increased both in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God
and man.