Luke 2:8-24
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Shepherds and the Angels
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(A) stood before[a] them,(B) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.[b] 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,(C) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:[c] 11 Today a Savior,(D) who is Messiah(E) the Lord,(F) was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you:(G) You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
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 feeding trough. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things[f] in her heart(K) and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(L) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus
21 When the eight days were completed for His circumcision,(M) He was named Jesus(N)—the name given by the angel before He was conceived.[g] 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,(O) 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[h] will be dedicated[i] to the Lord(P)[j]) 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(Q)[k]).
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 2:9 Or Lord appeared to
- Luke 2:9 Lit they feared a great fear
- Luke 2:10 Or the whole nation
- Luke 2:14 Other mss read earth good will to people
- Luke 2:14 Or earth to men of good will
- Luke 2:19 Lit these words
- Luke 2:21 Or conceived in the womb
- Luke 2:23 Lit “Every male that opens a womb
- Luke 2:23 Lit be called holy
- Luke 2:23 Ex 13:2,12
- Luke 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8
Luke 2:8-24
The Message
An Event for Everyone
8-12 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.
19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Blessings
21 When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.
22-24 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson