Study Desk

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And all of them were amazed.

All who heard them pondered them and said, "What then will this child become?" For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.

He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed

At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.

Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.