THE GOSPEL ACCORDING to
*LUKE
Luke 2 ©
1 Christ is born at Bethlehem. 8 And His birth made known by an angel to the shepherds. 13 For which the heavenly hosts praise God with an hymn. 15 The shepherds go to Bethlehem to see the Child, and having spread abroad that which was told them thereof, return again. 21 The Child is circumcised and called JESUS. 22 Presented to the Lord in the temple. 25 Where Simeon receives Him in his arms, and after an hymn prophecies of Him. 36 The same does Anna, a prophetess. 41 Christ, being twelve years old, goes with His parents to Jerusalem. 45 Is found by them in the temple among the doctors. 51 Returns to Nazareth, and is subject to His parents, and increases in wisdom, stature and grace.
AND it came to pass 1in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar 2Augustus, that 3all the world 4should be taxed.
(And this taxinga was 5first made when 6Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into 7his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa,untob the city of David, which is called 8Bethlehem;c (because he was of the housed and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his 9espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she broughte forth her 10firstborn son, and wrapped him in 11swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord 12came upon them, and the 13glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were soref afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I 14bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to 15all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is 16Christ the Lord.
And this shall be 17a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel ag multitude of the heavenly 18host praising God, and saying,
19Glory to God in the highest, andh on earth 20peace, 21good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels 22were gone away from them into heaven, 23the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see 24this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and 25pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And when eighti days were 26accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his namej was called 27JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days 28of her purificationk according 29to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(As it is written inl the law of the Lord, Every 30male that openeth the womb shall be called 31holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the 32law of the Lord, Am pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and 33the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should 34not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him 35after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and 36blessed God, and said,
Lord, nown37lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen 38thy salvation,o
Whichp thou hast prepared before the face of 39all people;
Aq light 40to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, thisrchild is 41set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for 42a sign whichs shall be spoken against;
(Yea, 43a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the 44thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was 45of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed 46not from the temple, but servedtGod with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave 47thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for 48redemption in Jerusalem.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew,u and 49waxed strong 50in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Now his parents 51went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.v
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been 52in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,w both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Andx all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when 53they saw him, they were 54amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, 55thy father and I have sought thee 56sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wisty ye not that I must be about 57my Father's business?
Andz they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was 58subject unto them: but his mother kept all these 59sayings in her heart.
And Jesus increasedaa in wisdom and 60stature, and in favour with God and man.