Study Desk

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus^[a](a) that the whole empire^[b] should be registered.

This first registration took place while^[c] Quirinius was governing Syria.^(b)

So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,^(c)

to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him^[d] and was pregnant.

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

Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

Then an angel of the Lord^(d) stood before^[e] them,^(e) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.^[f]

But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid,^(f) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^[g]

Today a Savior,^(g) who is Messiah^(h) the Lord,⁽ⁱ⁾ was born for you in the city of David.

This will be the sign for you:^(j) You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough."

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,^(k) and peace on earth^(l) to people He favors!^[h][i](m)

When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.

After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary was treasuring up all these things^[j] in her heart⁽ⁿ⁾ and meditating on them.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God^(o) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

When the eight days were completed for His circumcision,^(p) He was named Jesus^(q)—the name given by the angel before He was conceived.^[k]

And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,^(r) they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

(just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male ^[l] will be dedicated ^[m] to the Lord ^(s)[n])

and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons ^(t)[o]).