The birth and circumcision of Christ. How he was received into the temple. How Simeon and Anna prophesy of him, and how he was found in the temple among the learned instructors of the Jews.

2 And it happened in those days that there went out a commandment from Augustus the Emperor that all the world should be taxed. ² And this taxing was the first, and executed when Quirinius was governor in Syria. ³ And every man went to his own town to be taxed. ⁴ And Joseph also ascended from Galilee out of a town called Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with child.

⁶ And it came to pass while they were there that her time came to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her first begotten son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them within the inn.

⁸ And there were in the same region shepherds abiding in the field and watching their flock by night. ⁹ And lo, the angel of the Lord stood right by them, and the brightness of the Lord shone round about them, and they were very afraid. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, Be not afraid. For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which will come to all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And take this for a sign: you will find the child swaddled and laid in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly soldiers, lauding God and saying, ¹⁴ Glory be to God on high, and peace on earth, and to men rejoicing.

¹⁵ And it so was, as soon as the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has shown to us. ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe laid in a manger.

¹⁷ And when they had seen this, they proclaimed everywhere the message that had been given them concerning that child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at those things the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary laid up all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, praising and lauding God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it had been told to them.

²¹ And when the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

²² And when the time of their purification according to the law of Moses came, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord: every man-child that first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), ²⁴ and to offer (as it 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 feared God, and longed for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was in him. ²⁶ And a revelation had been given him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the father and mother brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸ then he took him up in his arms and said, ²⁹ Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your promise. ³⁰ For my eyes have seen the saviour sent from you, ³¹ whom you have prepared before the face of all people – ³² a light to give sight to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

³³ And his father and mother marvelled at those things that were spoken of him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, Behold, this child shall be the fall and the resurrection of many in Israel, and a sign that shall be spoken against. ³⁵ And moreover, the sword will pierce your soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, one Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, ³⁷ and been a widow for about eighty-four years. She never went out of the temple, but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And she came forth also that same hour, and praised the Lord, and spoke of him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

³⁹ And as soon as they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own town, Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.

⁴¹ Now his father and mother went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.  ⁴³ And when the days had come to an end, as they turned back for home, the child Jesus remained still in Jerusalem, unbeknownst to his father and mother. ⁴⁴ For they supposed he would be with the caravan. And therefore they went a day’s journey, and were searching for him among their kinsfolk and companions. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back again to Jerusalem and searched for him. ⁴⁶ And eventually, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And everyone who heard him marvelled at his understanding and answers.

⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you dealt with us this way? Look, your father and I have been searching for you, sorrowing.

⁴⁹ And he said to them, How is it that you were searching for me? Did you not know that I must go about my Father’s business?

⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁵¹ And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in favour with God and man.