LUK 2
2
The Birth of Jesus
Matt. 1:18-25
1 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, that a census should be taken to register all the inhabited world under Roman rule.
2 This registration was the first of its kind, taking place when Quirinius was serving as governor of Syria.
3 Everyone went to be registered for the census, each person travelling to his own ancestral town.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem. He made this journey because he was a descendant of the house and family line of David.
5 He went to be registered along with Mary, who was legally pledged to be married to him and who was expecting a Child.
6 While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths to keep Him warm, and laid Him in a manger—a feeding trough for animals—because there was no room available for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that same region, there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock during the night.
9 An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone brilliantly around them. They were terrified and filled with great fear.
10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
11 Today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord—the Messiah!
12 This will be the sign for you to identify Him: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host—a vast army of angels—praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!"
15 When the angels had departed from them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go immediately to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 They came quickly and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger, just as they had been told.
17 When they saw the Child, they made known to everyone the message that had been told to them by the angels concerning this Child.
18 All who heard the shepherds' report marvelled at what had been told to them.
19 But Mary treasured all these words and events, pondering them carefully in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It was exactly as it had been told to them.
21 When eight days were fulfilled and the time came for Him to be circumcised according to Jewish law, He was given the name Jesus—the name He had been called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the days of their purification were completed according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
23 This was done as it is written in the Law of the Lord: "Every firstborn male who opens the womb shall be consecrated and called holy to the Lord."
24 They also came to offer a sacrifice according to what is stated in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, eagerly waiting for the consolation of Israel—the coming of the Messiah. The Holy Spirit rested upon him.
26 It had been divinely revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death before he had seen the Lord's Christ—the Messiah.
27 Moved by the Spirit, he came into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him the customary requirements prescribed by the Law,
28 Simeon took Jesus in his arms, blessed God with thanksgiving, and said:
29 "Now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart in peace,
according to Your word and promise,
30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 which You have made ready in the sight of all peoples everywhere—
32 a light that will bring revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory to Your people Israel."
33 Joseph and Mary, His earthly parents, were filled with wonder at what was being said concerning Him.
34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Listen carefully: This Child is appointed to cause the fall and rising of many in Israel. He will be a sign that will be spoken against and rejected by many.
35 A sword will pierce through your own soul as well, bringing you deep anguish. All this will happen so that the hidden thoughts and intentions of many hearts may be revealed and exposed."
Prophetess Anna
36 There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage.
37 Then she lived as a widow until she reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple courts, but worshipped God continually night and day with fasting and prayers.
38 At that very moment when Simeon was speaking, she approached them. She began to give thanks to God and to speak about the Child to all those who were waiting expectantly for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Boy Jesus
39 When Joseph and Mary had completed everything required according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 The Child continued to grow physically and to become strong in body. He was filled with wisdom beyond His years, and the gracious favour of God rested upon Him.
Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year His parents would travel to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as faithful Jews.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
43 After they had completed the days of celebration and were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not realise this.
44 Assuming He was somewhere in their travelling company, they went a full day's journey before they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned anxiously to Jerusalem, searching for Him.
46 After three days of searching, they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers of the Law, both listening to them and asking them insightful questions.
47 All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers.
48 When His parents saw Him, they were struck with amazement. His mother said to Him, "Child, why have You treated us this way? Your father and I have been distressed and anxious, searching everywhere for You."
49 Jesus said to them, "Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that it was necessary for Me to be in My Father's house, occupied with My Father's business?"
50 But they did not understand the profound meaning of what He was saying to them.
51 Then Jesus went down with them and returned to Nazareth. He continued to be submissive to them in all things. His mother continued to treasure all these events in her heart.
52 Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and in physical stature, and He increased in favour with both God and people.
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Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
