Christ is Born

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 aThis census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to bthe city of David, which is called Bethlehem, cbecause he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, dhis betrothed 1wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And eshe brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a 2manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And 3behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, fand they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, g“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy hwhich will be to all people. 11 iFor there is born to you this day in the city of David ja Savior, kwho is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a 4manger.”

13 lAnd suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory mto God in the highest,

And on earth npeace, ogoodwill 5toward men!”

The Shepherds Visit Jesus

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made 6widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 pBut Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and qpraising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Christ is Circumcised

21 rAnd when eight days were completed 7for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called sJesus, the name given by the angel tbefore He was conceived in the womb.

22 Now when uthe days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 v(as it is written in the law of the Lord, w“Every male who 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, x“A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon’s Prophecy

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, ywaiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not zsee death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came aby the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, bnow You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes chave seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 dA light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 8And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the efall and rising of many in Israel, and for fa sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, ga sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of hAsher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow 9of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers inight and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to 1the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who jlooked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Jesus Returns to Nazareth

Matt. 2:19–23

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 kAnd the Child grew and became strong 2in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Jesus Celebrates the Passover

41 His parents went to lJerusalem mevery year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the ncustom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the odays, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And 3Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And pall who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be qabout rMy Father’s business?” 50 But sthey did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Grows in Wisdom

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was 4subject to them, but His mother tkept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus uincreased in wisdom and stature, vand in favor with God and men.

The Ministry of John the Baptist

Matt. 3:1–12; Mark 1:2–8; John 1:19–31

3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, aPontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 1while bAnnas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to cJohn the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 dAnd he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance efor the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

f“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled

And every mountain and hill brought low;

The crooked places shall be made straight

And the rough ways smooth;

6 And gall flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, h“Brood 2of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits iworthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore jevery tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 So the people asked him, saying, k“What shall we do then?”

11 He answered and said to them, l“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, mlet him do likewise.”

12 Then ntax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

13 And he said to them, o“Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”

14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”

So he said to them, “Do not 3intimidate anyone por accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, q“I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will rbaptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and sgather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 tBut Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his 4brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

The Baptism of Christ

Matt. 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; John 1:32–34

21 When all the people were baptized, uit came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am vwell pleased.”

The Genealogy of Christ Through Mary

Gen. 5:1–32; 11:10–26; Ruth 4:18–22; 1 Chr. 1:1–4, 24–27, 34; 2:1–15; Matt. 1:2–6

23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at wabout thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) xthe son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of yZerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son