Study Desk

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.

Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all amazed.

And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, "What then will this child become?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways,

While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born.

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

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.

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

Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel."

There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years,

Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.

Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.

When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. "Child, why have You done this to us?" His mother asked. "Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You."