Chapter 2

1In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that everyone throughout the empire should be registered.

2This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

3Everyone went to be registered, each person in his own town.

4Joseph traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, the town of David. He went there because he belonged to David’s family line.

5Joseph went to be registered with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant.

6While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth.

7She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth, and laid him in an animal’s feeding trough because there was no space for them in the guest room.

8In that same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields overnight and watching their flock.

9An angel from the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the brilliant light of the Lord’s presence shone around them. They were terrified.

10The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will bring great joy to all the people.

11The angel continued, “Today, in David’s town, someone who will save you has been born. He is the Messiah—God’s chosen king—and Lord.

12The angel concluded, “This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth and lying in an animal’s feeding trough.”

13Suddenly, a large army from heaven appeared with the angel. They praised God and said,

14“May God be honored in the highest heaven, and may there be peace on earth among people who have his favor.”

15After the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened—the event the Lord has told us about.”

16They hurried there and found Mary and Joseph, along with the baby lying in the feeding trough.

17After seeing the child, the shepherds told others what they had been told about him.

18Everyone who heard their account was amazed at what the shepherds said.

19But Mary treasured all these words and thought deeply in her heart about how they fit together.

20The shepherds returned, honoring and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It was just as they had been told.

21When the baby was eight days old, they circumcised him and named him Jesus. The angel had given him that name before he was conceived in the womb.

22When the time came for them to complete the purification ceremony required by the law of Moses, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

23They did this in keeping with what is written in the Lord’s law: “Every firstborn male will be called set apart for the Lord.”

24They also came to offer the sacrifice required by the Lord’s law: “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25There was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He lived rightly, was devoted to God, and was waiting for relief to come to Israel. God’s Holy Spirit was with him.

26The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.

27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple grounds. Jesus’ parents brought the child in to carry out for him what the law customarily required.

28Simeon took Jesus in his arms, praised God, and said,

29“Master, you may now let your servant die in peace, just as you promised,

30because I have seen the rescue you provide.

31Simeon continued, “You prepared this rescue for all peoples to see:

32a light that will bring understanding to non-Jewish peoples and honor to your people Israel.”

33Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him.

34Simeon asked God to favor them and said to Mary, Jesus’ mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and many to rise. He will also be a sign that people oppose.

35Simeon continued, “A sword will pierce your own soul too, and the thoughts hidden in many hearts will be revealed.”

36There was also a prophet named Anna, a woman who spoke messages from God. She was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher, and was very old. After marrying, she had lived with her husband for seven years,

37and then remained a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple grounds but worshiped night and day by fasting and praying.

38At that very hour, Anna came up and began thanking God. She spoke about Jesus to everyone who was waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.

39When Jesus’ parents had completed everything required by the Lord’s law, they returned to their own town of Nazareth in Galilee.

40The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was with him.

41Every year, Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover festival.

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up for the festival as usual.

43When the festival ended and they started home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it.

44They assumed he was with their traveling group, so they continued for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and continued searching.

46After three days, they found Jesus in the temple grounds. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47Everyone who heard him was astonished by his understanding and his answers.

48When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us this way? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

49Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50But his parents did not understand what he meant.

51Jesus went home with them to Nazareth and continued to obey them. His mother carefully kept all these words in her heart.

52Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and physical maturity, and he gained favor with God and people.