Luke 2:1-24 ▼

1 At that time, Cesar Augustus published an edict, to make a register of the Roman empire.

2 (this register was made before Quirinus was prefect of Syria.)

3 all went to be registred, every one to his native city.

4 so Joseph departed from Nazareth in Galilee, and went into Judea to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and linage of David,

5 in order to be registred with Mary, his espoused wife, who was then big with child.

6 now while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.

7 and being brought to bed of her first born, she swathed him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 In that country there were shepherds lying in the open fields, taking their turns to watch the stock in the night;

9 when all of a sudden an angel of the Lord appear'd to them, and a heavenly light shone about them, at which they were greatly affrighted.

10 but the angel said to them, be not afraid, I am only come to bring you great news, which will be matter of joy to you and to the whole world.

11 for the Lord Messiah your saviour is this day born, in the city of David:

12 and by this sign shall you know him; you will find the babe swathed, lying in a manger.

13 All of a sudden an army of celestial beings join'd the angel, singing praises to God, and saying,

14 "glory to God in the heavens, and to men on earth felicity in the divine favour."

15 As soon as the angels retired back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go to Bethlehem, to see the fact, of which the Lord inform'd us.

16 accordingly they hasted thither, and found Mary and Joseph with the babe lying in the manger.

17 when they had seen him, they divulged what the angel had told them concerning this child.

18 and all that heard of it, were surprized at what the shepherds related.

19 but Mary considered these things very attentively, and weigh'd every circumstance in her mind, while the shepherds return'd,

20 glorifying and praising God, for having heard and seen every thing exactly as the angel inform'd them.

21 The eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, being come, he was named Jesus, the name, which the angel had given before his conception.

22 At length the time appointed by the law of Moses for the purification of women being accomplish'd, they carried the infant to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according as his law directs,

23 "every first born male-child shall be consecrated to the Lord."

24 and to offer the sacrifice prescrib'd by the law, which was a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pidgeons.