1  But it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be made of all the habitable world. 2  The census itself first took place when Cyrenius had the government of Syria. 3  And all went to be inscribed in the census roll, each to his own city: 4  and Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city Nazareth to Judaea, to David’s city, the which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5  to be inscribed in the census roll with Mary who was betrothed to him as his wife, she being great with child. 6  And it came to pass, while they were there, the days of her giving birth to her child were fulfilled, 7  and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8  And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9  And lo, an angel of the Lord was there by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared with great fear. 10  And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; 11  for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David’s city, who is Christ the Lord. 12  And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger. 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good pleasure in men. 15  And it came to pass, as the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16  And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger; 17  and having seen it they made known about the country the thing which had been said to them concerning this child. 18  And all who heard it wondered at the things said to them by the shepherds. 19  But Mary kept all these things in her mind, pondering them in her heart. 20  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them.

21  And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb. 22  And when the days were fulfilled for their purifying according to the law of Moses, they brought him 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 according to what is said in the law of the Lord: A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

25  And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26  And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he should see the Lord’s Christ. 27  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law, 28  he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29  Lord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;