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ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମ

(ମାଥିଉ 1:18-25)

ସେହି ସମୟରେ ରୋମୀୟ ଶାସନ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଗତ ସମସ୍ତ ଦେଶର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ କାଇସର ଅଗଷ୍ଟଙ୍କର ଗୋଟିଏ ଆଜ୍ଞା ଘୋଷଣା କରାଗଲା। ଆଜ୍ଞାଟି କୁହେ ଯେ, ସମସ୍ତେ ଜନଗଣନା ପାଇଁ ନିଜ ନିଜ ନାମର ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କରିବେ। ଏହା ପ୍ରଥମ ଜନଗଣନା ଥିଲା। କ୍ୱିରୀଣିୟ ସୁରିୟାର ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳ ଥିବା ସମୟରେ ଏହା ହେଲା। ତେଣୁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଲୋକ ନାମ ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ନିଜ ନିଜ ନଗରକୁ ଗଲେ।

ଯୋଷେଫ ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ବଂଶର ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ସେ ଗାଲିଲୀର ନାଜରିତ ନଗରରୁ ଯିହୂଦା ପ୍ରଦେଶର ବେ‌ଥ୍‌ଲେହିମକୁ ଗଲେ। ବେ‌ଥ୍‌ଲେହିମ ନଗର ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ନଗର ନାମରେ ପରିଚିତ ଥିଲା। ଯୋଷେଫ ମରିୟମଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନାମ ପଞ୍ଜୀକରଣ କଲେ, କାରଣ ମରିୟମଙ୍କ ସହିତ ତାହାଙ୍କର ବିବାହ ନିର୍ବନ୍ଧ ହୋଇ ସାରିଥିଲା। ମରିୟମ ସେତେବେଳେ ଗର୍ଭବତୀ ଥିଲେ। ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ବେ‌ଥ୍‌ଲେହିମରେ ଥିବା ସମୟରେ ମରିୟମଙ୍କର ପ୍ରସବ ସମୟ ଆସିଲା। ସେ ତାହାଙ୍କର ପ୍ରଥମଜାତ ପୁତ୍ର ସନ୍ତାନକୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେଲେ। ସେମାନେ ରହିବାକୁ ଚଟିଘରେ ଆଉ ଜାଗା ନ ଥିଲା। ତେଣୁ ମରିୟମ ଶିଶୁଟିକୁ ଲୁଗାପଟାରେ ଗୁଡ଼ାଇ ଗୁହାଳରେ ଗୋରୁ କୁଣ୍ଡରେ ରଖିଦେଲେ।

ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମ ଖବର ପାଇଲେ

ସେହି ରାତିରେ କେତେକ ମେଷପାଳକ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ମେଣ୍ଢାଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ରାତିସାରା ପଦାରେ ଜଗି ରହିଥିଲେ। ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ଦୂତ ମେଷପାଳକମାନଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ ଠିଆ ହେଲେ। ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଗୌରବର ଜ୍ୟୋତିଃ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦିଗରେ ଝଲକି ଉଠିଲା। 10 ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଭୟଭୀତ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, “ଭୟ କର ନାହିଁ, କାରଣ ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଶୁଭ ସମାଗ୍ଭର ଆଣିଛି। ତାହା ସବୁଲୋକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମହା ଆନନ୍ଦ ଆଣିଦେବ। 11 କାରଣ ଆଜି ଦାଉଦଙ୍କ ନଗରରେ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ତ୍ରାଣକର୍ତ୍ତା ପ୍ରଭୁ ଯୀଶୁ ଜନ୍ମ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଛନ୍ତି। 12 ତୁମ୍ଭେମାନେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଚିହ୍ନି ପାରିବା ପାଇଁ ଏହା ହେଉଛି ସଙ୍କେତ: “ତୁମ୍ଭେମାନେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶିଶୁକୁ କନାରେ ଗୁଡ଼ାଇ ହୋଇ ଗୋରୁ କୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଶୋଇଥିବାର ଦେଖିବ।”

13 ସେହି ସମୟରେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରୁ ବହୁସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଆସି ସେହି ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଯୋଗ ଦେଲେ। ସମସ୍ତ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତ ଏହିପରି ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସ୍ତୁତି କରୁଥିଲେ:

14 “ସ୍ୱର୍ଗରେ ରହୁଥିବା ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଜୟ ହେଉ,
    ଏବଂ ଏ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର ପ୍ରସନ୍ନ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ସେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ଶାନ୍ତି ମିଳୁ।”

15 ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ମେଷପାଳକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଛାଡ଼ି ସ୍ୱର୍ଗକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ। ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ପରସ୍ପର କୁହାକୁହି ହେଲେ: “ଆମ୍ଭେମାନେ ବେ‌ଥ୍‌ଲେହିମ ଯିବା ଓ ଏହି ଯେଉଁ ଘଟଣା ଘଟିଛି ବୋଲି ପ୍ରଭୁ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଣାଇଲେ, ତାହା ଦେଖିବା।”

16 ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଗଲେ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଏବଂ ଯୋଷେଫଙ୍କୁ ଖୋଜି ପାଇଲେ। ସେହି ଶିଶୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଗୋରୁ କୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଶୋଇଥିଲେ। 17 ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ଶିଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିଲେ। ଏହି ଶିଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଯାହା କହିଥିଲେ, ତାହା ସେମାନେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ। 18 ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ଯାହା କହିଲେ, ତାହା ଶୁଣି, ସମସ୍ତେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଗଲେ। 19 କିନ୍ତୁ ମରିୟମ ଏସବୁ କଥା ନିଜ ମନ ଭିତରେ ଗୋପନ ରଖି, ନିରନ୍ତର ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। 20 ମେଷପାଳକମାନେ ନିଜ ମେଷମାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ଯାହାସବୁ ଶୁଣିଥିଲେ ଓ ଦେଖିଥିଲେ, ସେଥିପାଇଁ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ଗୌରବ ଦେଲେ ଓ ପ୍ରଶଂସା ଗାନ କଲେ। ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତମାନେ ଯେପରି କହିଥିଲେ, ସେମାନେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ଜିନିଷକୁ ସେହିପରି ଦେଖିଲେ।

21 ଶିଶୁଟି ଆଠ ଦିନର ହେବାରୁ ତା'ର ସୁନ୍ନତ କରାଗଲା ଓ ତାହାଙ୍କର ନାମ ଯୀଶୁ ରଖାଗଲା। ସେ ଗର୍ଭରେ ରହି ବଢ଼ିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସ୍ୱର୍ଗଦୂତ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ନାମ ଦେଇଥିଲେ।

ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ହାଜିର କରାଗଲା

22 ମୋଶାଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ଶୁଚି[a] ହେବାର ସମୟ ଆସିଲା। ଏହା ପରେ ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଯିରୁଶାଲମକୁ ନେଇ ଆସିଲେ। 23 ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ‘ନିୟମ’[b]ରେ ଲେଖାଅଛି: “ପରିବାରରେ ପ୍ରଥମ ପୁତ୍ରସନ୍ତାନ ଜନ୍ମ ହେଲେ ସେ ‘ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗୀକୃତ’ ହେବ।”[c] 24 ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିୟମରେ ଆହୁରି ମଧ୍ୟ ଲେଖାଅଛି: “ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଦୁଇଟି କପୋତ କିମ୍ବା ଦୁଇଟି ପାରାଛୁଆ ମଧ୍ୟ ବଳି ଦେବାକୁ ହେବ।”(A) ତେଣୁ ଏହି ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ବଳି ଦେବା ନିମନ୍ତେ ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଯିରୁଶାଲମକୁ ଗଲେ।

ଶିମିୟୋନ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାକଲେ

25 ଯିରୁଶାଲମରେ ଶିମିୟୋନ ନାମରେ ଜଣେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଧାର୍ମିକ ଓ ନିଷ୍ଠାପର ଭକ୍ତ ରହୁଥିଲେ। ଇସ୍ରାଏଲକୁ ସାନ୍ତ୍ୱନା କରିବା ନିମନ୍ତେ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର କେବେ ଆସିବେ, ସେହି ସମୟକୁ ସେ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କରି ରହିଥିଲେ। ପବିତ୍ରଆତ୍ମା ତାହାଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିଲେ। 26 ପବିତ୍ରଆତ୍ମା ତାହାଙ୍କୁ କହି ଦେଇଥିଲେ ଯେ, ସେ ପ୍ରଭୁ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଆଗତ ଖ୍ରୀଷ୍ଟଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ନ କରିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ତାହାଙ୍କର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ହେବ ନାହିଁ। 27 ଆତ୍ମା ଶିମିୟୋନଙ୍କୁ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ କଢ଼େଇ ଆଣିଲେ। ଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଯୋଷେଫ ମରିୟମ ଶିଶୁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ସଙ୍ଗରେ ନେଇ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଗଲେ। 28 ଶିମିୟୋନ ଶିଶୁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ କୋଳକୁ ନେଇ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ସ୍ତୁତିଗାନ କରି କହିଲେ:

29 “ପ୍ରଭୁ, ଏବେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ କହିବା ଅନୁସାରେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଏହି ଦାସକୁ ଶାନ୍ତିରେ ମରିବାକୁ ଦିଅ।
30 ମୁଁ ମୋ’ ଆଖିରେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ପରିତ୍ରାଣକୁ ଦେଖିଛି।
31     ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିଛ।
32 ସେ ଅଣଯିହୂଦୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ତୁମ୍ଭରି ପଥ ଦେଖାଇବା ପାଇଁ ଆଲୋକ ଅଟନ୍ତି
    ଓ ସେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଗୌରବ ଆଣିବେ।”

33 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବାପାମା ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ଶିମିୟୋନଙ୍କ ମୁହଁରୁ ଏ କଥା ଶୁଣି ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଗଲେ। 34 ତା'ପରେ ଶିମିୟୋନ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ କଲେ ଓ ମରିୟମଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, “ଏ ବାଳକ ଯୋଗୁଁ ଅନେକ ଯିହୂଦୀଙ୍କର ଉ‌ତ୍‌ଥାନ ଓ ପତନ ହେବ। ସେ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କର ଏକ ଚିହ୍ନ ହେବେ ଓ ତାହା ଲୋକମାନେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିବେ ନାହିଁ। 35 ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ମନ ଭିତରେ ଥିବା ଗୋପନକଥା ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହେବ। ସେହି ଘଟଣା ସବୁ ତୁମ୍ଭର ହୃଦୟକୁ ଦୁଃଖ ଆଣିବ।”

ହାନ୍ନା ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖାକଲେ

36 ସେତେବେଳେ ହାନ୍ନା ନାମରେ ଜଣେ ମହିଳା ଭବିଷ୍ୟ‌ଦ୍‌ବକ୍ତ୍ରୀ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରେ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ଆଶେର ବଂଶର ଫିନୂୟେଲଙ୍କ ଝିଅ ଥିଲେ। ହାନ୍ନା ବହୁତ ବୁଢ଼ୀ ହୋଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ। ବିବାହ ପରେ ମାତ୍ର ସାତବର୍ଷ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ସ୍ୱାମୀଙ୍କ ସହିତ ରହିଥିଲେ। 37 ତା'ପରେ ତାହାଙ୍କର ସ୍ୱାମୀ ମରିଗଲେ ଓ ସେ ବିଧବା ହୋଇ ଏକୁଟିଆ ରହିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ଏବେ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଚଉରାଅଶୀ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସ ହୋଇଥିଲା। ହାନ୍ନା ସବୁବେଳେ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ରହୁଥିଲେ। କେବେ ହେଲେ ସେ ମନ୍ଦିର ଛାଡ଼ି ଯାଇ ନ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ଉପବାସ କରି ଓ ସେ ଦିନରାତି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରି ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ ଉପାସନା କରୁଥିଲେ।

38 ସେ ସେହି ସମୟରେ ଶିଶୁ ଓ ତା'ର ବାପାମାଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିଲେ। ସେ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଦେଲେ। ଯେଉଁମାନେ ଯିରୁଶାଲମର ମୁକ୍ତିର ଅପେକ୍ଷାରେ ଥିଲେ, ସେହି ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ସେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ କହିଲେ।

ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ଘରକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ

39 ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାନୁଯାୟୀ ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସେମାନେ ଗାଲିଲୀ ପ୍ରଦେଶର ନିଜ ନଗର ନାଜରିତକୁ ଫେରିଗଲେ। 40 ସାନ ଶିଶୁଟି ଦିନକୁ ଦିନ ବଢ଼ିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ସେ ହୃଷ୍ଟପୁଷ୍ଟ ଓ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ ହେବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ପରମେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କର ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ ଥିଲା।

ବାଳକ ଯୀଶୁ

41 ନିସ୍ତାରପର୍ବ ପାଇଁ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କର ପିତାମାତା ପ୍ରତିବର୍ଷ ଯିରୁଶାଲମ ଯାଉଥିଲେ। 42 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ବାରବର୍ଷ ବୟସ ହୋଇଥିବା ସମୟରେ ସବୁଥର ଭଳି ସେମାନେ ପର୍ବକୁ ଗଲେ। 43 ପର୍ବ ଦିନତକ ଶେଷ ହୋଇଯିବା ପରେ ସେମାନେ ଘରକୁ ଫେରୁଥିଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ବାଳକ ଯୀଶୁ ଯିରୁଶାଲମରେ ରହିଗଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ବାପାମା ଏ କଥା ଜାଣି ନ ଥିଲେ। 44 ଦଳ ଭିତରେ ପୁଅ ଅଛି ଭାବି ଯୋଷେଫ ଓ ମରିୟମ ପୁରା ଦିନେ ଯାତ୍ରା କରିସାରିଥିଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସେମାନେ ନିଜ ପରିବାର ଲୋକ ଓ ଅନ୍ତରଙ୍ଗ ବନ୍ଧୁଙ୍କ ଭିତରେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଖୋଜିଲେ। 45 କିନ୍ତୁ ସେମାନେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପାଇଲେ ନାହିଁ। ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ଖୋଜି ଖୋଜି ଯିରୁଶାଲମ ଫେରି ଆସିଲେ।

46 ତିନି ଦିନ ପରେ ସେମାନେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କୁ ପାଇଲେ। ଯୀଶୁ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରେ ଧର୍ମଗୁରୁମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ବସିଥିଲେ। ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ ଓ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ସବୁ ପଗ୍ଭରୁଥିଲେ। 47 ସମସ୍ତେ ତାହାଙ୍କ କଥା ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କର ବୁଝିବା ଶକ୍ତି ଦେଖି ଓ ଜ୍ଞାନପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଉତ୍ତରଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଶୁଣି ସେମାନେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ। 48 ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ବାପାମା ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ବିସ୍ମିତ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ତାହାଙ୍କ ମା ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ପଗ୍ଭରିଲେ, “ପୁଅରେ! ତୁ ଆମ ସାଙ୍ଗରେ ଏପରି କାହିଁକି କଲୁ? ତୋ’ ବାପା ଓ ମୁଁ ତୋତେ ଖୋଜି ଖୋଜି ବହୁତ ଚିନ୍ତିତ ହୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଲୁଣି।”

49 ଏହି ଶୁଣି ଯୀଶୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, “ତୁମ୍ଭେମାନେ ମୋତେ କାହିଁକି ଖୋଜୁଥିଲ? ଯେଉଁଠାରେ ମୋର ପରମପିତାଙ୍କର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅଛି, ମୁଁ ସେଠାରେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଥିବିବୋଲି ତୁମ୍ଭେମାନେ କ’ଣ ଜାଣି ନାହଁ?” 50 କିନ୍ତୁ ସେମାନେ ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କର କଥାର ଅର୍ଥ କିଛି ବୁଝି ପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ।

51 ଯୀଶୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନାଜରିତକୁ ଗଲେ। ସେ ବାପାମାଙ୍କର ସବୁ ଆଜ୍ଞା ପାଳନ କଲେ। ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କ ମା ତଥାପି ଏହିସବୁ କଥା ନିଜ ମନ ଭିତରେ ରଖି ଚିନ୍ତା କରୁଥିଲେ। 52 ଯୀଶୁ ଜ୍ଞାନରେ, ଶରୀରରେ ଏବଂ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର ଓ ମନୁଷ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ଅନୁଗ୍ରହରେ ବଢ଼ିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ।

Footnotes

  1. ଲୂକ ଲିଖିତ ସୁସମାଗ୍ଭର 2:22 ମୋଶାଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ଶୁଚି ମୋଶାଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁସାରେ ଜଣେ ଯିହୂଦୀ ମହିଳା ସନ୍ତାନ ଜନ୍ମ ଦେବାର ଗ୍ଭଳିଶ୍ ଦିନ ପରେ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧିଷ୍ଟ ଉତ୍ସବ ହେବା ପରେ ଶୁଚି ହୋଇ ପାରିବ।
  2. ଲୂକ ଲିଖିତ ସୁସମାଗ୍ଭର 2:23 ‘ନିୟମ’ ଯାହା ମୋଶାଙ୍କୁ ‘ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା’ ରୂପରେ ପରମେଶ୍ୱର ଦେଇଥିଲେ।
  3. ଲୂକ ଲିଖିତ ସୁସମାଗ୍ଭର 2:23 ଯାତ୍ରା ଯାତ୍ରା ପୁସ୍ତକ 13:2,12

耶穌降生伯利恆

那時,凱撒奧古斯都頒下諭旨,命羅馬帝國的人民都辦理戶口登記。 這是第一次戶口登記,正值居里紐任敘利亞總督。 大家都回到本鄉辦理戶口登記。 約瑟因為是大衛家族的人,就從加利利的拿撒勒鎮趕到猶太地區大衛的故鄉伯利恆, 要和已許配給他、懷著身孕的瑪麗亞一起登記。 他們抵達目的地時,瑪麗亞產期到了, 便生下第一胎,是個兒子。她用布把孩子裹好,安放在馬槽裡,因為旅店沒有房間了。

牧羊人和天使

當晚,伯利恆郊外有一群牧羊人正在看守羊群。 忽然,主的天使向他們顯現,主的榮光四面照著他們,他們非常害怕。 10 天使對他們說:「不要怕!我告訴你們一個有關萬民的大喜訊, 11 今天在大衛的城裡有一位救主為你們降生了,祂就是主基督! 12 你們將看見一個嬰孩包著布躺在馬槽裡,這就是給你們的記號。」

13 忽然,有一大隊天軍出現,與那天使一同讚美上帝說:

14 「在至高之處,
願榮耀歸於上帝!
在地上,
願平安臨到祂所喜悅的人!」

15 眾天使離開他們升回天上之後,牧羊人便商議說:「我們現在去伯利恆,察看一下主剛才告訴我們的那件事吧!」 16 他們就連忙進城,找到了瑪麗亞和約瑟以及躺在馬槽裡的嬰孩。 17 他們看過之後,就把天使告訴他們有關這嬰孩的事傳開了。 18 聽見的人都對牧羊人的話感到驚訝。

19 但瑪麗亞把這些事牢記在心裡,反覆思想。 20 牧羊人在歸途中不斷地將榮耀歸於上帝,讚美祂,因為他們的所見所聞跟天使告訴他們的一樣。

奉獻聖嬰

21 在第八天,嬰孩接受了割禮,祂的名字叫耶穌,是瑪麗亞懷孕前天使取的。

22 摩西律法規定的潔淨期滿後,約瑟和瑪麗亞把嬰孩帶到耶路撒冷去獻給主, 23 因為主的律法規定:必須把長子分別出來獻給主。 24 他們又按照主的律法獻上祭物,即一對斑鳩或兩隻雛鴿。 25 耶路撒冷有一位公義敬虔、有聖靈同在的人名叫希緬,他一直期待著以色列的安慰者到來。 26 聖靈曾啟示他:他去世前必能親眼看見主所立的基督。

27 一天,他受聖靈感動進入聖殿,看見約瑟和瑪麗亞抱著嬰孩耶穌進來,要依照律法的規定為祂行奉獻禮, 28 就把祂抱過來,稱頌上帝說:

29 「主啊,現在你的話已經成就,
可以讓你的奴僕安然離世了,
30 因為我已親眼看到你的救恩,
31 就是你為萬民所預備的救恩。
32 這救恩是啟示外族人的光,
也是你以色列子民的榮耀。」

33 約瑟和瑪麗亞聽見這番話,感到驚奇。 34 希緬給他們祝福後,就對孩子的母親瑪麗亞說:「看啊,這孩子必使以色列許多人跌倒、許多人興起。祂將成為眾人攻擊的對象, 35 好叫許多人的心思意念暴露出來,你自己則會心如刀割。」

36-37 亞設支派中有一位八十四歲高齡的女先知名叫亞拿,是法內利的女兒,婚後七年便開始守寡,之後一直住在聖殿裡,禁食禱告,日夜事奉上帝。 38 正在那時,她也前來感謝上帝,並把耶穌的事報告給所有盼望耶路撒冷蒙救贖的人。

39 約瑟和瑪麗亞辦完了主的律法規定的一切事之後,就回到他們的家鄉——加利利的拿撒勒。 40 耶穌漸漸長大,身心強健,充滿智慧,上帝的恩典與祂同在。

少年耶穌聖殿論道

41 約瑟和瑪麗亞每年都上耶路撒冷去過逾越節。 42 耶穌十二歲那年,跟父母照例上去過節。 43 節期完了,約瑟和瑪麗亞便啟程回家,他們並不知道少年耶穌仍然留在耶路撒冷, 44 還以為祂跟在同行的人中間。他們走了一天的路後,才開始在親戚朋友中找祂, 45 結果沒有找到,只好回到耶路撒冷。 46 三天後,他們才在聖殿裡找到耶穌,祂正和教師們坐在一起,一邊聽一邊問問題。 47 祂的知識和對答令聽見的人感到驚奇。 48 約瑟和瑪麗亞看見耶穌在那裡,大為驚奇。

瑪麗亞對祂說:「兒子,你為什麼這樣對我們呢?你父親和我急得到處找你!」

49 耶穌對他們說:「你們為什麼找我呢?難道你們不知道我應該在我父的家嗎?」 50 但他們不明白祂在講什麼。

51 於是,耶穌隨父母回到拿撒勒,並順從他們。瑪麗亞把這一切事牢記在心。 52 耶穌漸漸長大,智慧與日俱增,越來越受上帝和人們的喜愛。

Chapter 2

The Birth of Jesus.[a] In those days, a decree was issued by Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken throughout the entire world. This was the first such registration, and it took place when Quirinius[b] was governor of Syria.

Everyone traveled to his own town to be enrolled. Joseph therefore went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David. He went to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,[c] because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the nearby countryside there were shepherds living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock throughout the night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terror-stricken, 10 but the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. 11 For this day in the city of David there has been born to you a Savior who is Christ, the Lord.

12 “This will be a sign for you: you will find an infant 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 heaven,
    and on earth peace to all those on whom his favor rests.”[d]

15 The Visit of the Shepherds. After the angels had departed from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Come, let us go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And so they set off in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

17 When they saw the child, they recounted the message that had been told them about him. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 As for Mary, she treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.

21 The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus.[e]On the eighth day, when the time for the child’s circumcision had arrived, he was given the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived in the womb.

22 Jesus Is Presented in the Temple. When the days for their purification were completed according to the Law of Moses, they brought the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 as it is prescribed in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord,” 24 and to offer a sacrifice in accordance with what is stated in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 The Prophecy of Simeon. At that time, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This upright and devout man was awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27 Prompted by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was required by the Law, 28 he took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace,
    according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples,
32 a light of revelation to the Gentiles
    and glory for your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: “This child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed, 35 so that the secret thoughts of many will be revealed, and you yourself a sword will pierce.”

36 The Witness of Anna. There was also present a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after their marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment, she came forward and began to praise God, while she spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

39 The Return to Nazareth. When they had fulfilled everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was upon him.

41 The Boy Jesus in the Temple.[f] Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. 42 And when Jesus was twelve years old, they made the journey as usual for the feast. 43 When the days of the feast were over and they set off for home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were not aware of this. 44 Assuming that he was somewhere in the group of travelers, they journeyed for a day. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends, 45 but when they failed to find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.

46 After three days they found him in the temple, where he was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers. 48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him: “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been searching for you with great anxiety.” 49 Jesus said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not comprehend what he said to them.

51 Jesus Grows in Wisdom and Grace. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was obedient to them. His mother pondered all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in age and in grace with God and men.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:1 The Gospel of Jesus’ birth is perhaps the best known passage of the Bible.
    The birth of Jesus is described both as parallel to and in contrast with the birth of John. For lack of room in the inn, the young mother looks to a stable for an unobtrusive retreat in which to give birth to her son. Beginning in the 2nd century, the place was said to be a cave close to Bethlehem. She had a manger in which to lay the child.
    Apart from Mary and Joseph, there were no relatives or friends present to welcome this child: only a few shepherds, people who lived on the margins of society and whose trade was at that time severely criticized and despised by the teachers of the Law.
    The passage is full of grand ideas about faith; we may say also that it is rich in theology. The birth is described as the coming of the Messianic child. We are in Bethlehem, the native city of David who founded a royal and Messianic dynasty and who marked, as it were, a new beginning (1 Sam 16:1f; Mic 5:1). God bursts into the midst of the poor, proclaiming joy and peace for the whole world.
    The event went unnoticed by the chroniclers of the age, and yet it changed the destiny of the human race. In order to bring out its universal significance, Luke locates it in relation to the history of the world: Herod the Great (37–4 B.C.) is still in power; Augustus (29 B.C.–A.D. 14) has imposed Roman rule on the entire Mediterranean world, “the entire world” (Greek: oikumenê) known at the time (v. 1). But the general census that Augustus has ordered is the instrument of providence for fulfilling the prophecies, since it leads to Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (v. 4).
    A 6th-century monk, Dionysius Exiguus (“Little Denis”), wanted to mark the beginning of the Christian year, but he miscalculated and dated the birth of Jesus as occurring in the year 754 from the foundation of Rome (instead of 6–7 years earlier). But the mistake is of little importance, for Dionysius’ insight was correct: this event, more than any other, deserves to date the history of humanity, for it is the hinge on which all of history turns.
  2. Luke 2:2 Quirinius: Publius Quirinius, legate of Syria, conducted a census of Palestine in A.D. 6, ten years after the death of Herod the Great. The information we have does not allow us to decide whether Luke is referring to this census or to another.
  3. Luke 2:7 Manger: the legend of the ass and the cattle at the manger was perhaps suggested by Isa 1:3.
  4. Luke 2:14 On whom his favor rests: some read “to men of goodwill,” but it seems better not to contrast God’s peace and human goodwill.
  5. Luke 2:21 This section describes the Jewish rites associated with a birth. In addition to circumcision, forty days after the birth Jewish parents celebrated the rites of purification and ransoming, which in the context of the ancient religion represented a respect for life and a sense of the sacred (see Ex 13:2; Lev 12:2-8; Num 18:15-16). This child, who is bought back with the offering of the poor, is the Messiah and has come to carry out the mission entrusted to the Servant as foretold in the great prophetic songs of Isaiah (42:6; 49:6; 52:10): to save all of humankind, to bring light to all peoples.
    Some hearts are already drawn by the joyous conviction that the prophecies are fulfilled, and the hymn of the elderly prophet Simeon is, despite its brevity, among the richest of Christian canticles. But who can recognize the mission of the Messiah unless they accept the light of God? That mission elicits hostility; and Mary will experience the repercussions of the Savior’s painful lot, because faith in the Savior will bring to light the deep religion of hearts and put an end to the legalism of Judaism.
  6. Luke 2:41 In the village where Jesus spends his apprenticeship as a human being and grows “in wisdom and in age and in grace with God and men (v. 52),” this favor of God did not prevent him from sharing the life lived by everyone else. Then a significant event interrupted the course of everyday life.
    Jesus had reached the age when a Jewish boy had completed his religious instruction and was beginning to observe the precepts of the Law; he was recognized as religiously mature. Therefore, he joined his parents in the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
    In this passage we find him in the temple in open discussion with those charged with teaching the Law. What he has to say reveals an extraordinary religious vision. In acting as he does, he claims a freedom that surprises his parents.
    Thus, at his first encounter with Judaism and its religious center, at the moment when he speaks for the first time, Jesus declares himself Son of God and is aware of his own mystery and of his mission. That is what Luke wants to bring out in this story.
    Mary and Joseph are now informed of the boy’s uncommon destiny, but the unexpected thunderbolt of Jesus’ statement confuses them; it utters a mystery that is beyond them.
    The Lord is not done with surprising even believers, indeed believers first of all! There are days when we must draw inspiration from the attitude of Mary as she meditates on what God has done.

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to 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.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(M) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them 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 pondered them in her heart.(N) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(P) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(Q)

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(R) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]),(S) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c](T)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(U) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(V) 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 had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(W) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(X)
    you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.(Y)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(Z)
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”(AA)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(AB) “This child is destined to cause the falling(AC) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(AD) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[e](AE) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(AF) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(AG)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(AH) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(AI)

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(AJ) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(AK) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(AL) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(AM) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[f](AN) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(AO)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(AP) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(AQ) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(AR)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
  2. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
  3. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8
  4. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  5. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.
  6. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business