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¹ AND it happened in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, to take a census of all the people in his empire.² This first census took place during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria.³ And every man went to be registered in his own city.⁴ Joseph also went up from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, to Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and family of David;⁵ With his acquired wife Mary, while she was with child, that they might be registered there.⁶ And it came to pass while they were there, that her days of deliverance were to be fulfilled.⁷ And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because they had no place where they were lodging.

⁸ Now there were shepherds in that region, where they were staying, and they were watching their flocks at night.⁹ And behold, the angel of God came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone on them; and they were seized with a great fear.¹⁰ And the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which will be to all the world.¹¹ For today is born to you in the city of David, a Saviour, who is the Lord Christ.¹² And this is a sign for you; You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel, many hosts of heaven, praising God, and saying,¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good hope for men.¹⁵ And it happened, when the angels departed from them and went to heaven, the shepherds spoke to one another, saying, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, as the Lord has shown to us.¹⁶ And they came very hurriedly, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe laid in the manger.¹⁷ When they saw it, they made known the word which was spoken to them concerning the boy.¹⁸ And all who heard it were amazed at the things which were spoken by the shepherds.¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, and dwelt on them in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard, as it was spoken to them.

²¹ And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, his name was called Jesus; because he was named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.²² And when the days for their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;²³ As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice, as it is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simon; and this man was pious and righteous, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.²⁶ And it was said to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, until he sees the Anointed of the Lord.²⁷ This man was led by the Spirit to the temple; and when the parents brought in the boy Jesus, to do for him according to what is commanded in the law,²⁸ He received him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,²⁹ Now dismiss thy servant, O my Lord, in peace, according to your word;³⁰ For behold, mine eyes have already seen your mercies,³¹ Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples,³² A light for a revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory to your people Israel.³³ And Joseph and his mother marvelled about these things which were spoken concerning him.³⁴ And Simon blessed them, and he said to Mary, his mother, Behold, this one is appointed for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign of dispute;³⁵ And a sword will pierce through your own soul; so that the thoughts of the hearts of many may be revealed.³⁶ And Hannah the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was of a great age; and she had lived seven years with her husband from the days of her virginity.³⁷ Then she became a widow for about eighty-four years, and she never left the temple, and with fasting and prayer she worshipped day and night.³⁸ She also stood up at that hour, and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke concerning him to every man who was looking forward to the salvation of Jerusalem.³⁹ And when they had done everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.⁴⁰ The boy grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

⁴¹ And his people went every year to Jerusalem during the feast of the passover.⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to the feast, as they were accustomed.⁴³ And when the feast days were over, they returned; but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not know it.⁴⁴ They thought that he was with the children of their party; and when they went a day''s journey, they sought for him among their own people and those who knew them.⁴⁵ But they could not find him; so they returned again to Jerusalem, looking for him.⁴⁶ After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions.⁴⁷ And all those who heard him were amazed at his wisdom and his answers.⁴⁸ And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, My son, why have you done so to us? behold, I and your father have been looking for you with much anxiety.⁴⁹ He said to them, Why were you looking for me? did you not know that I would be in the house of my Father?⁵⁰ But they could not understand the word which he said to them.⁵¹ So he went down with them and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them. And his mother treasured all these words in her heart.⁵² And Jesus grew in his stature and in his wisdom, and in favor with God and men.