Study Desk

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has visitedand provided redemption for his people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the house of his servant David,

just as he spoke by the mouthof his holy prophets in ancient times;

He has dealt mercifully with our fathersand remembered his holy covenant—

in holiness and righteousnessin his presence all our days.

And you, child, will be calleda prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lordto prepare his ways,

to give his people knowledge of salvationthrough the forgiveness of their sins.

The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—

Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.