Jesus born in Bethlehem1Around that time, the emperor Caesar Augustus decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.2(This was the census to be taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3-4Everyone had to go to his town of origin to register; so Joseph travelled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David his forefather.5There he registered, together with Mary who was engaged to be married to him and was expecting the baby.6-7While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a Son, who she wrapped in a cloth and laid in a manger, because no room in any inn was available.Angels appear to the shepherds8-9Nearby, some shepherds were in the fields watching over their flocks during the night, when one of the Lord's angels appeared to them. The Lord's glory shone all around them.10They felt scared but the angel told them: "Don't be afraid. I have come to bring you good news of tremendous joy for everyone.11Today a Saviour has been born in Bethlehem, the Lord's Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah.12The sign by which you will know Him is this: He is the Baby you will find wrapped in a cloth lying in a manger."13-14Then there appeared with the angels a great number of other angels who were all praising God and saying: "Glory to the Most High God in heaven and His peace to men on earth on whom His favour rests."15As soon as the angels had returned to heaven the shepherds agreed: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves this wonderful event about which the Lord has told us."16They went as fast as possible and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger.17-18Having seen Him, they went and told everyone what they had been told about this child, to the utter astonishment of all who heard them.19But Mary treasured all these things in her heart, wondering what they meant.20The shepherds returned to the fields, giving glory and praise to God because of all they had seen and heard, for everything had been exactly as had been revealed to them.Jesus consecrated at the temple21When the Child was circumcised on the eighth day He was named Jesus, 'Saviour', the name given by the angel before He was conceived.22-23As soon as the purification ceremony required under the law of Moses was completed, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to offer Him to the Lord (for according to the law given by the Lord, 'Every firstborn son is to be consecrated to the Lord'.24They offered the sacrifice stated in that law: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons.'25A righteous and devout man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He longed for the coming of the Messiah and the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon him.26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that before he died he would see the Messiah, God's Son.27He felt led by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple courts at the very time when Jesus' parents brought Him there to fulfil the requirements of the law.28Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God saying:29"Sovereign Lord, now You have fulfilled Your promise, Your servant can die in peace.30-31For I have seen Your salvation that You have made available to all people.32He will reveal Your light to the Gentile nations and is the glory provided for Your people, Israel."33Mary and Joseph were amazed at these words.34-35Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: "This Child will cause many in Israel to fall, for He will be rejected by them, exposing the nature of their hearts. Others will rise to new spiritual heights because of Him, but it will be then that a sword pierces your own soul."36-37A prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, was also present in the temple courts. She was eighty years old, having been a widow after only seven years of marriage. She never left the temple precincts, but remained there day and night worshipping, fasting and praying.38She approached them at the same time and thanked God for the Child before speaking about Him to all those present, who were longing for the Messiah's coming to redeem His people in Jerusalem.39Having fulfilled all required of them by the law, Joseph and Mary returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee.40As the Child Jesus grew up, He became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and it was clear that God's grace was upon Him.
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)