The Birth of Jesus
During that time, the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus issued an official order that every person throughout the entire Roman Empire must be counted and registered. This was the very first time such a complete census had been conducted while Quirinius served as the Roman governor over the region of Syria. Because of this imperial command, people everywhere had to travel back to their ancestral hometown to be officially recorded. Joseph lived in the town of Nazareth, which was located in the northern region of Galilee. But since he belonged to the family line and descendants of King David, he was required to make the journey south to Judea, to David's hometown of Bethlehem. Joseph traveled there to register his name in the census records, and he brought Mary with him. Mary was engaged to marry him, and she was pregnant, expecting to give birth very soon. While Joseph and Mary were staying in Bethlehem, the time arrived for Mary's baby to be born. She delivered her first child, a son. Mary carefully wrapped the newborn baby in strips of soft cloth to keep him warm and secure. Then she gently placed him in a feeding trough that was used for animals, because when they had looked for a place to stay, every room in the local inn was already occupied by other travelers.
The Shepherds and the Angels
That same night, shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, watching over their flocks in the darkness. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the brilliant glory of the Lord blazed all around them. The shepherds were filled with terror. But the angel spoke to them: "Don't be afraid! I'm bringing you wonderful news that will bring great joy to all people. Today in David's city, a Savior has been born for you—He is Christ the Lord! Here's how you'll recognize Him: you'll find a baby wrapped in cloth strips, lying in a feeding trough." All at once, a vast army of heavenly beings appeared alongside the angel, praising God and declaring: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those who have God's favor!" After the angels left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds talked among themselves: "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see this amazing thing that has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us." They rushed off and discovered Mary and Joseph, along with the baby lying in the feeding trough. When they saw the child, they told everyone about the message they had received concerning Him. Everyone who heard their account was astonished by what the shepherds reported to them. Mary, however, carefully kept all these events in her memory, thinking deeply about them in her heart. The shepherds went back to their fields, giving glory and praise to God for everything they had heard and witnessed, which had happened exactly as the angel had promised them.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
When Jesus was eight days old, his parents had him circumcised and gave him the name Jesus, just as the angel had told them to do before Mary became pregnant. After Mary's time of purification was finished according to Moses' law, she and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. This was required by God's law, which said that every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord. They also needed to offer a sacrifice as the law commanded: two turtle doves or two young pigeons. In Jerusalem lived a man named Simeon who was good and deeply devoted to God. He had been waiting his whole life for God to comfort Israel, and the Holy Spirit was with him. The Holy Spirit had promised Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's chosen one. On this day, the Spirit led him to go into the temple courtyards. When Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus into the temple to do what the law required, Simeon was there waiting. He took the baby into his arms and praised God, saying, "Lord and Master, you have kept your promise. Now you can let me die in peace, because I have seen with my own eyes the salvation you prepared for everyone to see. This child will be a light that reveals God's truth to people who are not Jewish, and he will bring honor to your people Israel." Jesus' father and mother were amazed by what Simeon said about their son. Then Simeon blessed them and spoke directly to Mary: "This child will cause many people in Israel to either rise up or fall down. He will be a sign that many will speak against, and this will reveal what people really think in their hearts. As for you, Mary, great sorrow will pierce your heart like a sword." There was also a woman prophet named Anna, who was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married for seven years and then living as a widow until she was eighty-four. Anna never left the temple but spent all her time worshipping God, fasting and praying day and night. At that very moment, Anna came forward and gave thanks to God. She began telling everyone who was waiting for God to save Jerusalem about this child. When Jesus' parents had completed everything that the Lord's law required, they returned to their home in Nazareth in Galilee. The child Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's favor was clearly on him.
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
Every year, Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover festival. When Jesus turned twelve years old, they made the journey as they always did, following their family tradition. After the festival days ended, his parents began the trip back home. But Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing. They assumed he was somewhere in their traveling group with other families, so they walked for an entire day before they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn't find him anywhere, they turned around and went back to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days of searching, they finally found him in the temple courtyards. He was sitting with the religious teachers, listening carefully to what they said and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Jesus speak was amazed by how well he understood things and by the thoughtful answers he gave. When his parents saw him there, they were stunned. His mother said to him, "Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick, searching everywhere for you." Jesus replied, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" But his parents didn't understand what he meant by these words. Then Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and obeyed them in everything. His mother carefully remembered all these events and thought about them deeply in her heart. As the years passed, Jesus continued to grow wiser and taller, and he gained favor with both God and the people around him.