Luke 2 (NMV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole Roman world should be registered for taxation.
2 This was the first registration that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 So everyone went to be registered, each to their own town.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was engaged to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She swaddled Him and laid Him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the guest house.
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! Look, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people:
11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 And this will be the sign for you: You will find a baby swaddled and lying in a feeding trough."
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly army with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those whom He favors!"
15 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."
16 They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.
17 After seeing them, they made known the message they had been told about this child.
18 And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and reflected on them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
21 When eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived.
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,
23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male must be set apart as holy to the Lord,
24 and to offer a sacrifice, according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was righteous and devoted, looking forward to the comfort and restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah.
27 Guided by the Spirit, he came into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the law,
28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:
29 "Now, Master, You can let Your servant go in peace, as You promised.
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples:
32 a light to reveal You to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."
33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about Him.
34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary, "Listen, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed,
35 and a sword will pierce your own sou, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37 and then was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.
38 At that very moment she came up and began to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were looking forward to the rescue of Jerusalem.
39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40 The child grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on Him.
41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.
42 When He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.
43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.
44 Assuming He was in their traveling group, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
46 After three days, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers.
48 When His parents saw Him, they were overwhelmed, and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You."
49 "Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be involved in the things of My Father?"
50 But they did not understand what He said to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.