Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is from the Gospel
of Luke chapter 2 and the Gospel of Matthew chapter
2. Luke chapter 2. And it came to pass in those
days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be registered. The
census first took place while Quirinius was governing
Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone
to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David, to
be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,
who was with child. So it was that while they
were there, the days were completed for her to
be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn
son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloth, and
laid him in a manger. because there was no room
for them in the inn. Now there were in the same
country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And behold,
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the
glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them,
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city
of David a Savior. who is Christ the Lord, and
this will be the sign to you. You will find a
babe wrapped in swaddling cloth, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill toward men. So it was, when the angels
had gone away from them into heaven, that the
shepherds said to one another, Let us now go
to Bethlehem. And see this thing that has come
to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph
and the babe lying in a manger. Now when they
had seen him, they made widely known the saying
which was told them concerning this child. And
all those who heard it marveled at those things
which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary
kept all these things and pondered them in her
heart. Then the shepherds returned glorifying
and praising God for all the things. that they
had heard and seen as it was told them. And when
eight days were completed for the circumcision
of the child, his name was called Jesus, the
name given by the angel before he was conceived
in the womb. Now, when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were completed,
they brought him to Jerusalem to present him
to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the
Lord, every male who opens the womb shall be
called holy to the Lord. and to offer a sacrifice
according to what is said in the law of the Lord,
a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose
name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout,
waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the
Holy Spirit was upon him, and it had been revealed
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see
death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So
he came by 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, he
took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
Lord, now you are letting your servant depart
in peace according to your word. For my eyes
have seen your salvation, which you have prepared
before the face of all peoples. I like to bring
revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your
people, Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled
at those things which were spoken of him. Then
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
Behold, this child is destined for the fall and
rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which
will be spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce
through your own soul also, that the thoughts
of many hearts may be revealed. Now there was
one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel
of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age
and had lived with a husband seven years from
her virginity. And this woman was a widow of
about 84 years, who did not depart from the temple
but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day. And coming in that instant, she gave
thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those
who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So when
they had performed all things according to the
law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to
their own city, Nazareth. And the child grew
and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him. His parents
went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of
the Passover. And when he was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom
of the feast. When they had finished the days,
as they returned, the boy Jesus lingered behind
in Jerusalem. and Joseph and his mother did not
know it. But supposing him to have been in the
company, they went a day's journey, and sought
him among their relatives and acquaintances.
So when they did not find him, they returned
to Jerusalem seeking him. Now so it was that
after three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening
to them and asking them questions. And all who
heard him were astonished at his understanding.
and answers. So when they saw him, they were
amazed. And his mother said to him, Son, why
have you done this to us? Look, your father and
I have sought you anxiously. And he said to them,
Why do you seek me? Did you not know that I must
be about my father's business? But they did not
understand the statement which he spoke to them.
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth
and was subject to them. But his mother kept
all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased
in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and men. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold,
wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?
For we have seen his star in the east, and have
come to worship him. When Herod the king heard
this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with
him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests
and scribes of the people together, he inquired
of them where the Christ was to be born. So they
said to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus
it is written by the prophet, But you, Bethlehem,
in the land of Judah, are not the least among
the rulers of Judah. For out of you shall come
a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel.
determined from them what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and
search carefully for the young child, and when
you have found him, bring back word to me that
I may come and worship him also. When they heard
the king, they departed. And behold, the star
which they had seen in the east went before them,
till it came and stood over where the young child
was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceedingly great joy. And when they had come
into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped
him. And when they had opened their treasures,
they presented gifts to him, gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. Then being divinely warned in a dream
that they should not return to Herod, they departed
for their own country another way. Now when they
had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared
to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, take the
young child and his mother. Flee to Egypt and
stay there until I bring you word, for Herod
will seek the young child to destroy him. When
he arose, he took the young child and his mother
by night and departed for Egypt, and was there
until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
saying, Out of Egypt I called my son. Then Herod,
when he saw that he was deceived by the wise
men, was exceedingly angry, and he sent forth
and put to death all the male children who were
in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two
years old and under, according to the time which
he had determined from the wise men. Then was
fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet,
saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation,
weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for
her children, refusing to be comforted, because
they are no more. Now when Herod was dead, behold,
an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph
in Egypt, saying, Arise, take the young child
and his mother, and go to the land of Israel,
for those who sought the young child's life are
dead. Then he arose, took the young child and
his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning
over Judea, instead of his father Herod, he was
afraid to go there. And being warned by God in
a dream, He turned aside into the region of Galilee,
and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
the prophets, he shall be called a Nazarene.
I hope you enjoyed today's reading as much as
I did, and I look forward to seeing you again
tomorrow to continue on our journey. God bless
you and have a great day.