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The Birth of Jesus

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus(A) that the whole empire[a] should be registered. This first registration took place while[b] Quirinius was governing Syria.(B) So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth(C) in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,(D) because he was of the house and family line of David,(E) to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him[c] and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,[d] because there was no guest room available for them.

The Shepherds and the Angels

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord(F) stood before them,(G) and the glory of the Lord(H) shone around them, and they were terrified.[e] 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid,(I) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:[f] 11 Today in the city of David a Saviour(J) was born for you, who is the Messiah,(K) the Lord.(L) 12 This will be the sign for you:(M) You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.’

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host[g] with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,(N)
and peace on earth(O) to people he favours![h][i](P)

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 both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed(Q) at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart(R) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(S) for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,(T) he was named Jesus(U) – the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,(V) 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 will be dedicated[j]to the Lord[k](W)) 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[l](X)).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,(Y) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,(Z) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit(AA) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.(AB) 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform 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 dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation.(AC)
31 You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples –
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles[m](AD)
and glory to your people Israel.(AE)

33 His father and mother[n] were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, ‘Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel(AF) and to be a sign that will be opposed[o] –  35 and a sword will pierce your own soul – that the thoughts[p] of many hearts may be revealed.’

Anna’s Testimony

36 There was also a prophetess,(AG) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.(AH) She was well on in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[q](AI) 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years.[r] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.(AJ) 38 At that very moment,[s] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[t](AK)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.(AL) 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.(AM)

In His Father’s House

41 Every year his parents travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.(AN) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.(AO) 43 After those days were over,(AP) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents[u] did not know it. 44 Assuming he was in the travelling party, 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 astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,(AQ) ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’(AR)

49 ‘Why were you searching for me? ’ he asked them. ‘Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house? ’[v] 50 But they did not understand what he said to them.(AS)

In Favour with God and with People

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.(AT) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with people.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Or the whole inhabited world
  2. 2:2 Or This registration was the first while, or This registration was before
  3. 2:5 Lit betrothed
  4. 2:7 Or feeding trough, also in vv. 12,16
  5. 2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
  6. 2:10 Or the whole nation
  7. 2:13 Lit heavenly army
  8. 2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people
  9. 2:14 Or earth to men of good will
  10. 2:23 Lit be called holy
  11. 2:23 Ex 13:2,12
  12. 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8
  13. 2:32 Or the nations
  14. 2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother
  15. 2:34 Or spoken against
  16. 2:35 Or schemes
  17. 2:36 Lit years from her virginity
  18. 2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of eighty-four
  19. 2:38 Lit very hour
  20. 2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem
  21. 2:43 Other mss read but Joseph and his mother
  22. 2:49 Or be involved in my Father’s interests (or things), or be among my Father’s people

Nacimiento de Jesús (Mt 1,18-25)

Augusto, el emperador romano, publicó por aquellos días un decreto disponiendo que se empadronaran todos los habitantes del Imperio. Este fue el primer censo que se hizo siendo Cirino gobernador de Siria. Todos tenían que ir a empadronarse, cada uno a su ciudad de origen. Por esta razón, también José, que era descendiente del rey David, se dirigió desde Nazaret, en la región de Galilea, a Belén, la ciudad de David, en el territorio de Judea, para empadronarse allí juntamente con su esposa María, que se hallaba embarazada.

Y sucedió que, mientras estaban en Belén, se cumplió el tiempo del alumbramiento. Y María dio a luz a su primogénito; lo envolvió en pañales y lo puso en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.

Los ángeles y los pastores

En unos campos cercanos había unos pastores que pasaban la noche a la intemperie cuidando sus rebaños. De pronto, se les apareció un ángel del Señor y el resplandor de la gloria de Dios los llenó de luz de modo que quedaron sobrecogidos de temor. 10 Pero el ángel les dijo:

— No tengan miedo, porque vengo a traerles una buena noticia, que será causa de gran alegría para todo el pueblo. 11 En la ciudad de David les ha nacido hoy un Salvador, que es el Mesías, el Señor. 12 Esta será la señal para que lo reconozcan: encontrarán al niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre.

13 En aquel mismo instante apareció junto al ángel una multitud de otros ángeles del cielo, que alababan al Señor y decían:

14 — ¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas y paz en la tierra a los hombres que gozan de su favor!

15 Luego los ángeles volvieron al cielo, y los pastores se decían unos a otros:

— Vamos a Belén, a ver eso que ha sucedido y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer.

16 Fueron a toda prisa y encontraron a María, a José y al recién nacido acostado en el pesebre. 17 Al verlo, contaron todo lo que el ángel les había dicho acerca del niño. 18 Y todos cuantos escuchaban a los pastores se quedaban asombrados de lo que decían. 19 María, por su parte, guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en lo íntimo de su corazón.

20 Los pastores se volvieron dando gloria a Dios y alabándolo por lo que habían visto y oído, pues todo había sucedido tal y como se les había anunciado.

Jesús es circuncidado y presentado en el Templo

21 A los ocho días llevaron a circuncidar al niño, y le pusieron por nombre Jesús, el nombre que el ángel le puso antes de ser concebido. 22 Más tarde, pasados ya los días de la purificación prescrita por la ley de Moisés, llevaron al niño a Jerusalén para presentárselo al Señor, 23 cumpliendo así lo que dispone la ley del Señor: Todo primogénito varón ha de ser consagrado al Señor, 24 y para ofrecer al mismo tiempo el sacrificio prescrito por la ley del Señor: una pareja de tórtolas o dos pichones.

25 Por aquel entonces vivía en Jerusalén un hombre llamado Simeón, hombre justo y piadoso que esperaba la liberación de Israel. El Espíritu Santo estaba con Simeón 26 y le había hecho saber que no moriría antes de haber visto al Mesías enviado por el Señor. 27 Guiado por el Espíritu Santo, Simeón fue al Templo cuando los padres del niño Jesús llevaban a su hijo para hacer con él lo que ordenaba la ley. 28 Y tomando al niño en brazos, alabó a Dios diciendo:

29 Ahora, Señor, ya puedo morir en paz,
porque has cumplido tu promesa.
30 Con mis propios ojos he visto
la salvación que nos envías
31 y que has preparado
a la vista de todos los pueblos:
32 luz que se manifiesta a las naciones,
y gloria de tu pueblo Israel.

33 Los padres de Jesús estaban asombrados de lo que Simeón decía acerca del niño. 34 Simeón los bendijo y anunció a María, la madre del niño:

— Mira, este niño va a ser causa en Israel de que muchos caigan y otros muchos se levanten. Será también signo de contradicción 35 puesto para descubrir los pensamientos más íntimos de mucha gente. En cuanto a ti, una espada te atravesará el corazón.

36 Había también allí una profetisa llamada Ana, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser. Era una mujer muy anciana que en su juventud había estado casada siete años, 37 y permaneció luego viuda hasta los ochenta y cuatro años de edad. Ahora no se apartaba del Templo, sirviendo al Señor día y noche con ayunos y oraciones. 38 Se presentó, pues, Ana en aquel mismo momento alabando a Dios y hablando del niño a todos los que esperaban la liberación de Jerusalén.

El regreso a Nazaret

39 Después de haber cumplido todos los preceptos de la ley del Señor, se volvieron a Galilea, a su pueblo, Nazaret. 40 El niño iba creciendo y robusteciéndose; estaba lleno de sabiduría y gozaba del favor de Dios.

El niño Jesús en el Templo

41 Los padres de Jesús iban todos los años a Jerusalén, a celebrar la fiesta de la Pascua. 42 Cuando el niño cumplió doce años, subieron juntos a la fiesta, como tenían por costumbre. 43 Una vez terminada la fiesta, emprendieron el regreso. Pero el niño Jesús se quedó en Jerusalén sin que sus padres lo advirtieran. 44 Pensando que iría mezclado entre la caravana, hicieron una jornada de camino y al término de ella comenzaron a buscarlo entre los parientes y conocidos. 45 Y como no lo encontraron, regresaron a Jerusalén para seguir buscándolo allí. 46 Por fin, al cabo de tres días, lo encontraron en el Templo, sentado en medio de los doctores, escuchándolos y haciéndoles preguntas. 47 Cuantos lo oían estaban asombrados de su inteligencia y de sus respuestas. 48 Sus padres se quedaron atónitos al verlo; y su madre le dijo:

— Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho esto? Tu padre y yo hemos estado muy angustiados buscándote.

49 Jesús les contestó:

— ¿Y por qué me buscaban? ¿No saben que debo ocuparme de los asuntos de mi Padre?

50 Pero ellos no comprendieron lo que les decía.

51 Después el niño regresó a Nazaret con sus padres y siguió sujeto a ellos. En cuanto a su madre, guardaba todas estas cosas en lo íntimo de su corazón. 52 Y Jesús crecía, y con la edad aumentaban su sabiduría y el favor de que gozaba ante Dios y la gente.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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 will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, 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 openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.