The Gospel of Luke for Readers | Page 3

child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the desert until
the day of his showing to Israel.
2 A decree went out from Caesar Augustus. According to the decree
every man was to go to his own city to be taxed. Because he was of the
house and lineage of David, Joseph went up from Nazareth in Galilee,
to the city of Bethlehem in Judaea to be taxed. With him was Mary, his
espoused wife, who was great with child. While they were there, the
time came for her to be delivered. She brought forth her firstborn son,
wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because
there was no room for them in the inn.
In the same country shepherds were in the field keeping watch over
their flock by night. Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the
glory of the Lord shone about them. They became afraid. And the angel
said to them, Fear not. Behold, I bring you good tidings which shall be
great joy to all people. A Savior, Christ the Lord, is born this day in the
city of David. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger. Then there also appeared a heavenly host praising
God. They said, Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace and
good will toward men.
The shepherds said, Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to
pass which the Lord has made known to us. They went with haste and
found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

When they saw, they made it known abroad what was told them
concerning this child. Those who heard, wondered at what they were
told. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
When eight days were completed for the circumcising of the child, His
name was called Jesus, which was so named by the angel before He
was conceived in the womb. When the days of the purification
according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus
to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law:
Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And,
also according to law of the Lord, they offered the sacrifice: a pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
There was a man in Jerusalem, named Simeon. He was a just and
devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Ghost was
upon him and revealed to him that he should not see death before he
had seen the Lord's Christ.
He came by the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the
child Jesus, Simeon took Him up in his arms, blessed God, and said,
Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for
my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared before the
face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy
people, Israel.
Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of Him.
Simeon blessed them, and said to His mother, Mary, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which will be spoken against. A sword shall pierce thy soul that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Then a prophetess also spoke of Him. Anna was the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was an aged widow who, for
fourscore and four years, did not leave the temple and served God with
fasting and prayer night and day. She gave thanks to the Lord, and
spoke of Him to those in Jerusalem who awaited redemption.
When they had performed all that was required according to the law of
the Lord, they returned to their own city of Nazareth in Galilee. The
child grew, became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom and the
grace of God.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the
custom of the feast. When they had fulfilled the days, they returned, but
the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and His mother did
not know of it. Supposing Him to have been in the caravan, at the end
of the first day's journey, they sought Him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they turned back toward
Jerusalem to find Him.
After three days, they found Him