Now - in those - days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.
This (was the) first census to take place (while) Quirinius was governor of Syria.
And everyone went - to his own - town to register.
(So) Joseph also went up from - - Nazareth - in Galilee to - Jude -a , to (the) city of David - called Bethlehem , since he - was from (the) house and line of David.
(He went there) to register with Mary , who was pledged to him in marriage ... (and) was expecting a child.
- While ... ... ... they were there , the time came for her Child to be born.
And she gave birth to her - firstborn , - a Son. - She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths - and laid Him in a manger , because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds residing in the fields vvv vvv vvv vvv nearby , - keeping watch over their - flocks - by night.
Just then an angel of (the) Lord stood before them , and (the) glory of (the) Lord shone around them , and vvv vvv they were terrified.
But the angel said to them , “ {Do} not be afraid ! For behold , I bring you good news ... (of) great joy that will be for all the people :
- Today in (the) city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ (the) Lord !
And this (will be) a sign to you : You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. ”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of (the) heavenly host , praising - God and saying :
“ Glory to God in (the) highest , and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests ! ”
- When ... the angels had left ... them (and gone) into - heaven , the shepherds said to one another , “ Let us go - to Bethlehem and see this - (thing) that has happened , which the Lord has made known to us. ”
So vvv they hurried off and found - - Mary and - Joseph and the Baby , (who) was lying in the manger.
(After) they had seen (the Child) , they spread - the message - they had received ... about vvv vvv (Him).
And all who heard (it) were amazed at what - the shepherds said to them.
But - Mary treasured up all these - things (and) pondered (them) in her - heart.
- The shepherds returned , glorifying and praising - God for all - they had heard and seen , which was just as (the angel) had told - them.
- When (the) eight days until His circumcision had passed , - He was named Jesus , - the name - - the angel had given (Him) before He - had been conceived ... ... ....
And when the time of - purification according to the Law of Moses was complete , (His parents) brought Him to Jerusalem to present (Him) to the Lord
(as it is written in (the) Law of (the) Lord - : “ Every firstborn ... male shall be consecrated ... to the Lord ” ),
and - to offer (the) sacrifice vvv vvv specified in the Law of (the) Lord : “ A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now ... there was a man in Jerusalem - named Simeon , - - - (who) (was) righteous and devout. He was waiting for (the) consolation - of Israel , and (the) Holy Spirit was upon him.
- - The Holy Spirit had revealed to him - (that he would) not see death before ... ... he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
- (Led by) the Spirit , he went into the temple (courts). And vvv when the parents brought in the child Jesus - vvv to do for Him vvv vvv what was customary under the Law ,
- (Simeon) took Him in (his) arms and blessed - God , - saying :
“ - Sovereign Lord , as You - have promised , You now dismiss Your - servant in peace.
For my - eyes have seen Your - salvation ,
which You have prepared in the sight of all - people ,
a light for Revelation - to (the) Gentiles , and for glory to Your people Israel. ”
- (The Child’s) - father and - mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to His - mother Mary : “ Behold , this (Child) is appointed (to cause) (the) rise and fall of many in - Israel , and (to be) a sign that will be spoken against ,
so that (the) thoughts of many hearts ... will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your ... - soul as well. ”
There was also a prophetess (named) Anna , (the) daughter of Phanuel , of (the) tribe of Asher , (who) was well along ... in years. She had been married ... ... ... ... ... ... for seven years ,
and then - (was) a widow (to the age of) eighty-four ... .... (She) vvv never left the temple , (but) worshiped night and day , fasting and praying.
- Coming forward at that moment , she gave thanks - to God and spoke about (the Child) to all who were waiting for (the) redemption of Jerusalem.
- When (Jesus’ parents) had done everything - required by the Law of (the) Lord , they returned to - Galilee , to their (own) town of Nazareth.
And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom , and (the) grace of God was upon Him.
- Every year His - parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
And when He was twelve years (old) , they went up according to the custom of the Feast.
(When) those days were over (and) they - were returning (home) , the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem , but His - parents vvv were unaware (He had stayed).
- Assuming He was in their company , vvv they traveled on for a day (before) they began to look for Him among (their) relatives and - friends.
When vvv they could not find (Him) , they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
Finally ... , after three days they found Him in the temple (courts) , sitting among ... the teachers , - listening to them and asking them questions ....
And all who heard Him were astounded at His - understanding and (His) answers.
When (His parents) saw Him , they were astonished. “ Child , why have You done this to us ? ” His - mother - asked. ... ... “ - Your - father and I have been anxiously searching ... for You. ”
“ Why - were you looking for Me ? ” - He asked ... .... “ vvv Did you not know that I had to be in My - Father’s ( house ) ?”
But they vvv did not understand the statement - He was making to them.
Then He went down to Nazareth with them - - and was obedient to them. But His - mother treasured up all - these things in her - heart.
And Jesus grew in - wisdom and stature , and in favor with God and man.