Luke 2
Return to The Gospel Of Luke.
Important: This is not a translation or paraphrase, but a story based on Luke 1.
[Note: In the word pronunciations I have made the vowels with a Long Sound bold while the vowels with a short sound are in normal print. Academic Associate students know that the "u" has 3 long sounds. These sounds are separated from each other with a 1, 2 or 3. Sometimes a vowel does not have a sound in a syllable. In dictionaries this is usually shown with a "ə" but I have chosen simply not to show it since it has no sound. Also, when the "r" says it name instead of its normal sound, I have put it in bold. Academic Associate students, of course, know why and when it says its name instead of its sound.]
Jesus Is Born
At that time Caesar [se zr] Augustus was the Roman Emperor. He made a law that everyone in the Roman Empire was to be counted. So everyone had to travel to their home town to be registered for the count.
Joseph, who was living in the town of Nazareth [Naz u ruth] in Galilee [Gal u le], had to travel to Bethlehem [Beth li hem] in Judea [Ju2 de u] which had been the home town of King David over 900 years earlier because he was a descendent of the famous king. He took with him Mary who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were in Bethlehem baby Jesus was born. Mary took her newborn Son and wrapped Him up carefully and placed Him in a manager. Mary and Joseph had been staying in a stable because the Inn was full of other people who had come to be registered for the count.
Angels Appear To The Shepherds
In the nearby hill there were shepherds watching over their sheep that night. They were scared to death when suddenly an angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shone all around them.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring joy to all the people. Tonight, in King David's home town, a Saviour has been born. He is Christ the Lord. I will give you a sign so that you can recognize Him. You will find Him wrapped snuggly in cloths and lying in a stable manager."
Suddenly an entire choir [kwir] of angels appeared with the first angel. They all praised God and began singing:
"Glory to God in heaven
and on earth peace to men on whom God smiles."
When the angels had left and return to heaven, the shepherds said to each other. "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this Child that the Lord told us about through His angels."
So they hurried off and found Mary, Joseph and the Baby. Baby Jesus was lying in a manger just as the angel said He would be. When they had seen the Child for themselves they praised and glorified God that He had given them the privilege of seeing the Baby Jesus. Then they went out and told everyone they saw about the angels and the Baby. Everyone who heard it was amazed at the story. Mary treasured all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Special Day At The Temple
Eight days after He was born, Jesus was put under God's covenant blessing. He was then named "Jesus" just as the angel had first instructed Mary.
According to the Law of Moses a woman had to wait 33 days after her son's special day and then she had to enter the Temple to offer a special sacrifice. So when Mary had waited the right amount of time, she and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple. Because they were poor, the only sacrifice they could afford was two young pigeons or doves. They also dedicated Jesus to the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem [Ju ru2
su lum] called Simeon who was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was
devoted to God and lived a holy life. He was waiting for the Saviour of
Israel to be born. The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die
until he had seen the Saviour sent by the Lord. That very day the Holy
Spirit had told him to go to the Temple. When Simeon saw Mary and
Joseph bringing Jesus in, his heart jumped and he knew he was looking at
the Saviour. He took Jesus gently into his arms and praised God by
saying,
"Sovereign [sov r in] Lord, as You have promised You can now let your servant die in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have made in the sight of all people. He will be a light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory to Your people Israel."
Joseph and Mary were surprised at what Simeon said. But Simeon continued on and blessed them. He said to Mary, "This Child to going to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel. Many will speak against Him so that the inner thoughts in their hearts may be revealed. And, Mary, a great hurt will pierce your mind as well."
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Also in the Temple that day was a prophetess called Anna. As a young girl she had been married for 7 years before her husband died. After her husband died she practically lived in the Temple worshipping God day and night with fasting and prayer. She was now 84 years old. She came up as Simeon was talking and gave thanks to God for Jesus. She then went and spoke about Jesus to everyone who was looking for the Saviour. When Joseph and Mary had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. Jesus grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom and the blessing of God was on Him. |
My Father's Business
Every year Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old they went to the Feast as they always did. But this time, when the Feast was over, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary did not know what Jesus had done. They thought He was playing with friends or family as they traveled back home. When they stopped for the night they searched for Him and then realized that He had not come with them. They journeyed [jr ne d] back to Jerusalem to look for Him, worried about what might have happened. It took them 3 days to find Him. When they did finally find Him, He was sitting with the Scripture [skrip chr] teachers listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard Him was amazed at how much He understood and how He answered the teachers.
Joseph and Mary were surprised to find Him there. Mary was upset, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously [angk shus le] searching for You for 3 days."
Now Jesus was surprised. He did not think His parents would be worried about Him. He asked, "Why were you searching for Me? Didn't you know that I would be in My Father's house, the Temple?"
Joseph and Mary could not understand His reasoning. Nevertheless, Jesus went with them back to Nazareth and was obedient to them in all things. Even though she did not understand, Mary treasured all these things in her heart.
Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and maturity. He had the blessing of God on Him and He was well liked by those around Him.
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