Study Desk

because the Mighty Onehas done great things for me,and his name is holy.

Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son.

He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.

All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

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,

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

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

Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

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

Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law,

For my eyes have seen your salvation.

a light for revelation to the Gentilesand glory to your people Israel.

and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

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

Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.