Gospel

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Luke 2:1-38

In the days when John the Baptist had grown and became strong in spirit, he was in the desert until the day that he preached to Israel. A decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be recorded. He wanted a census to be taken. This census first took place when Quirinius was governing Syria. All the people went to their own cities to be registered.

Joseph left the city of Nazareth, which was in Galilee, and went to Jerusalem, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Joseph went to Judea because he was a descendant of David. This is where he was from. He went their to be registered, along with his wife Mary, who was pregnant.

While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, it came time for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of linen or some other soft material (swaddling cloth), which was used to wrap babies in to keep them still and calm. She laid Him in a manger (feeding trough), because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same country, there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were greatly afraid. The angel told them not to be afraid, because he brought good news for all people. The angel's message was that there was born this day in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. The angel gave a sign to the shepherds so that they would know what he is saying is true. The angel told them that they would find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Suddenly there was a multitude of heavenly hosts with the angel, praising God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

When the angels had left and went into heaven, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see this which has happened, which the Lord has made known to them. They came in a hurry and found Mary, Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. When they had seen Him, the shepherds made it known, the things they were told concerning the Child. All those who heard these things were amazed.

Mary remembered all these things and thought about them. The shepherds left, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.

When eight days were complete for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel, before He was conceived in the womb.

When the days of Mary's purification were completed, according to the law of Moses, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. The firstborn son was considered to be holy to the Lord. They offered a sacrifice to what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. He was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Simeon came, by the Spirit, into the temple. when Mary and Joseph brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, Simeon took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said that he could now die in peace. Simeon had seen God's Son, who was God's Salvation for the world. This was God's plan for the people of the world. A Light to bring revelation to the Gentiles (us), and the glory of God's people (Israel).

Joseph and Mary were amazed at the things that Simeon had said about Jesus. Simeon blessed them and told Mary that Jesus is destined for the fall and rising of Israel (of many in Israel). He also told her that many would be against her Child. Mary's heart would break to know that there were many that would hate Jesus.

There was an old prophetess named Anna, who had been married for seven years then became a widow for the next eighty-four years. She never left the temple, and served God with fasting and prayers, night and day. She gave thanks to God and spoke of Jesus to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

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