Study Desk

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

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

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

for my eyes have seen your salvation

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

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."

And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.