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At that time Emperor Augustus issued a decree, ordering that all the people in the whole world be registered.

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This was the first registration made while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

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So all the people went to be registered, each to his own town.

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Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, — because he was of the house and lineage of David —

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to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

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While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth,

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and she gave birth to a son, her firstborn, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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In that region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

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Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid.

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Then the angel said to them: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people:

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Today a Savior has been born for you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

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And this will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

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And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great host of heaven, praising God, saying:

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“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”

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When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another: “Let us go to Bethlehem to see what has happened there, as the Lord has made known to us.”

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Then they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, lying in the manger.

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And when they saw Him, they made known what had been told them about the Child.

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And all who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.

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But Mary kept all these things in her heart and pondered them.

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So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

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And when eight days had passed and He had to be circumcised, He was given the name Jesus, the name spoken by the angel before He was conceived in His mother’s womb.

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And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,

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as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God,”

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and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, namely a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

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Now there was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon. He was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him,

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and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah, the Lord’s Anointed One.

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He came into the temple by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus, the Child, was brought in by His parents to do for Him what the law required,

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he took the Child into his arms and blessed God, saying:

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“Now, Lord, let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word,

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for my eyes have seen Your salvation,

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a salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

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a light for revelation to the nations and for glory to Your people Israel.”

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And His father and mother marveled at the things spoken about Him.

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Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the Child’s mother: “Behold, this Child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be opposed

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— and a sword will pierce your own soul also — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

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There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After her marriage she had lived seven years with her husband,

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and now she was a widow, eighty-four years old. She never left the temple, but served night and day with fasting and prayers.

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And at that very hour she came up and gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

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When they had completed everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their own city, Nazareth in Galilee.

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The Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

41
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.

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When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

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After the days of the feast were over, as they were returning home, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without His parents knowing it.

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Because they supposed that He was among their fellow travelers, they went a day’s journey, and then sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

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And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, still seeking Him.

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After three days they found Him in the temple; He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

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And all who heard Him were greatly amazed at His understanding and at all the answers He gave.

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And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been anxiously seeking You.”

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He said to them, “Why were you seeking Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

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But they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them.

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Then He went down with them to Nazareth, and He remained under their care. And His mother kept all these things in her heart.

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And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

📖 Luke 2 – The Birth of Jesus and His Childhood

🧾 Summary of Luke 2

Luke 2 tells of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the worship by the shepherds, the circumcision and presentation in the temple, and the only account of Jesus as a child. This is one of the Bible chapters most often read at Christmas.

Main Points:

1. The Birth of Jesus (verses 1–7):

   • Caesar Augustus ordered a census, causing Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem.

   • Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.

   • This emphasizes the humility and simplicity of the King’s birth.

2. The Shepherds and the Good News (verses 8–20):

   • The shepherds received news from an angel that the Savior, the Messiah, had been born.

   • They heard the angelic choir glorifying God:

     “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.”

   • The shepherds went to Bethlehem, saw the baby Jesus, and made it known to the people.

3. Circumcision and Presentation at the Temple (verses 21–40):

   • Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day and given the name “Jesus”.

   • Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the Temple according to the law of Moses.

   • Simeon, a righteous and devout man, prophesied that Jesus was “a light to the nations”.

   • Anna, an elderly prophetess, also praised God and spoke about Jesus to those who were waiting for redemption.

4. Jesus in the Temple at Age 12 (verses 41–52):

   • Jesus’ family went to Jerusalem for Passover.

   • On the way home, Jesus was left behind in the Temple and was found discussing with the teachers of the law.

   • He said to His parents:

     “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

   • Jesus returned to Nazareth and grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.

📘 Main Teachings of Luke 2

1. Jesus was born in simplicity, showing that salvation is available to all people.
2. God chose humble people like shepherds to be the first witnesses of the Messiah’s birth.
3. Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and the law of Moses (circumcision, presentation at the Temple).
4. The presence of Simeon and Anna shows the importance of hope and faithfulness in belief.
5. Jesus, even from childhood, was aware of His mission as the Son of God.
6. Jesus’ growth is an example: in wisdom, obedience, and love.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of Luke 2

• The birth of Jesus changes the world with peace and true light.
• The Lord is present in humility and sincerity of heart.
• Spiritual joy is the true response to God’s work.
• Jesus is light not only for Israel, but for the whole world.
• Parents who are faithful to the Lord, like Joseph and Mary, raise children in God’s will.
• Listening and seeking the truth from a young age is a habit of godly life.