Study Desk

While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby,

and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was not any room for them in the inn.in the guest room">[fn]Matthew 1:25;">[xr]

Then the angel said to them, "Stop being afraid! Listen! I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.Genesis 12:3; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:15; Luke 1:31-32; 24:47; Colossians 1:23;">[xr]

And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

Then the shepherds returned to their flock,to their flock">[fn] glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Marythey">[fn] took Jesushim">[fn] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,Leviticus 12:2-4,6;">[xr]

Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. This man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel,for the comfort of Israel">[fn] and the Holy Spirit rested on him.Isaiah 40:1; Mark 15:43; Luke 2:38;">[xr]

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law,Matthew 4:1;">[xr]

For my eyes have seen your salvation,Isaiah 52:10; Luke 3:6;">[xr]

which you prepared for all people to see -

a light that will reveal salvationa light for revelation">[fn] to the GentilesIsaiah 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-3; Matthew 4:16; Acts 13:47; 28:28;">[xr] and bring glory to your people Israel."

Now Anna, a prophetess, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,

and then as a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but continued to worship there night and day with times of fasting and prayer.Acts 26:7; 1 Timothy 5:5;">[xr]

Just then she came forward and began to thank God and to speak about the childabout him">[fn] to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.Mark 15:43; Luke 15:25; 24:21;">[xr]

Every year Jesus'his">[fn] parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.Exodus 23:15,17; 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:1,16, 17;">[xr]

When the days of the festivalof the festival">[fn] were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

They thought that he was in the group of travelers. After traveling for a day, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching desperately for him.

When his parentsthey">[fn] saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!"

He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"about my Father's work">[fn]John 2:16;">[xr]