1Por esse tempo, César Augusto, o imperador romano, mandou que se fizesse um registo geral dos habitantes de todo o império.2Este recenseamento foi feito sendo Cirénio governador da Síria.3Todos tinham de voltar à terra natal para registarem os seus nomes.4E como José era da descendência real, teve de ir a Belém, na Judeia, a terra natal do rei David, desde a cidade de Nazaré na Galileia.5Levou consigo Maria, a sua noiva, cuja gravidez nessa altura já estava avançada.6Enquanto ali se encontravam, chegou a hora de dar à luz.7E nasceu-lhe o seu primeiro filho, que envolveu em panos e deitou na manjedoura de um estábulo, onde se viram obrigados a recolher, por não haver lugar na hospedaria.
Os pastores e os anjos
8Naquela noite, encontravam-se nos campos fora da vila alguns pastores que guardavam os seus rebanhos.9De súbito, apareceu-lhes um anjo; o campo ficou iluminado com a glória do Senhor e eles sentiram muito medo.10Mas o anjo sossegou-os: “Não tenham medo; trago-vos uma notícia muito feliz que se destina a toda a gente!11Esta noite, em Belém, na Cidade de David, nasceu o Salvador. Sim, o Cristo, o Senhor!12E este é o sinal pelo qual o reconhecerão: encontrarão a criança envolvida em panos, deitada numa manjedoura.”13E de repente, juntou-se outro grande grupo de anjos, louvando a Deus:14“Glória ao Senhor, nos mais altos céus! Paz na Terra aos homens a quem Deus quer bem!”15Depois deste grande número de anjos ter voltado para os céus, os pastores disseram uns aos outros: “Vamos a Belém ver o que aconteceu e que o Senhor nos falou.”16Correndo à aldeia, encontraram Maria e José, com a criança deitada na manjedoura de um estábulo.17Os pastores falavam a toda a gente no que tinha acontecido e no que o anjo dissera acerca daquele menino.18Todos os que ouviam a história dos pastores mostravam-se espantados.19Maria, porém, guardava estas coisas no seu coração, meditando cuidadosamente nelas.20Por fim, os pastores voltaram para os campos e rebanhos, glorificando Deus pela visita dos anjos e por terem visto o menino tal como o anjo dissera.
A circuncisão de Jesus
21Passados oito dias, na cerimónia da sua circuncisão, puseram ao menino o nome de Jesus, o nome que o anjo dissera antes de ter sido gerado.22Quando chegou a altura de levar ao templo a oferta da cerimónia da purificação, como a Lei de Moisés exigia[1], seus pais levaram-no a Jerusalém para o apresentar ao Senhor.23Porque nessa mesma Lei Deus tinha dito: “Se o primeiro filho de uma mulher for rapaz, será dedicado ao Senhor.”24Nessa mesma ocasião, os pais de Jesus ofereceram também o sacrifício pela sua purificação: um par de rolas ou dois pombinhos, de acordo com a Lei.25Naquele dia, estava justamente no templo um homem chamado Simeão, morador em Jerusalém, um crente dedicado ao Senhor, cheio do Espírito Santo e que vivia constantemente na esperança do breve aparecimento do Consolo de Israel.26O Espírito Santo tinha-lhe revelado que não morreria sem ver primeiro aquele que tinha sido designado por Deus.27O Espírito Santo inspirou-o a ir ao templo naquele dia. Assim, quando Maria e José chegaram para apresentar o menino Jesus ao Senhor, em obediência à Lei, Simeão estava lá.28E tomando a criança nos braços louvou a Deus:29“Senhor, agora posso morrer satisfeito, pois vi aquele que tu me prometeste que veria!30Vi o Salvador que deste ao mundo.31-32Ele é a luz que brilhará sobre as nações, e será a glória do teu povo Israel.”33José e Maria admiravam-se do que se dizia a respeito de Jesus.34-35Simeão abençoou-os, mas depois disse a Maria: “Uma espada atravessará a tua alma, porque esta criança será rejeitada por muitos em Israel, mas para sinal de desavença entre deles. Para muitos outros, porém, será uma grande alegria. E por ele serão revelados os pensamentos mais profundos de muitos corações.”36Naquele mesmo dia estava também no templo uma profetisa de Deus chamada Ana, filha de Fanuel, da tribo de Aser, de oitenta e quatro anos de idade. Era viúva, pois o seu marido tinha morrido após sete anos de casados.37Nunca saía do templo, antes permanecia ali dia e noite, adorando a Deus com jejuns e oração.38Nesse preciso momento, ela aproximou-se e começou também a dar graças a Deus e a anunciar publicamente, a todos quantos em Jerusalém esperavam a chegada do Salvador, que o Cristo tinha finalmente chegado.39Depois de terem cumprido todas as exigências da Lei de Deus, os pais de Jesus voltaram para Nazaré da Galileia.40Ali o menino ia crescendo, fortalecendo-se fisicamente e em sabedoria, e Deus derramava sobre ele a sua graça.
Jesus no templo
41Todos os anos os pais de Jesus iam a Jerusalém para a festa da Páscoa.42Quando ele atingiu a idade de doze anos, a família foi à festa, como era hábito.43Terminada a comemoração, tomaram o caminho de volta para Nazaré, mas Jesus ficou para trás em Jerusalém.44No primeiro dia os pais não deram pela sua falta, porque julgavam que estivesse com amigos ou entre os outros viajantes. Mas quando não apareceu naquela noite, começaram a procurá-lo entre os parentes e amigos.45Não o encontrando, voltaram a Jerusalém, continuando a procurá-lo.46Três dias depois, encontraram-no. Achava-se no templo, sentado entre os especialistas na Lei, ouvindo-os e fazendo-lhes perguntas,47deixando toda a gente admirada com a sua inteligência e respostas.48Os pais não sabiam o que pensar quando o viram ali sentado. “Filho”, disse-lhe a mãe, “porque nos fizeste isto? Teu pai e eu estávamos desesperados, à tua procura!”49“Mas que necessidade tinham de procurar-me?”, disse-lhes. “Não calcularam que estaria aqui no templo, na casa do meu Pai, pois preciso tratar dos seus assuntos?”50Mas eles não entenderam o que lhes dizia.51Jesus voltou com os pais para Nazaré e era-lhes obediente. E a sua mãe guardava todas estas coisas no coração.52Assim Jesus crescia, tanto em tamanho como em sabedoria, achando graça aos olhos de Deus e dos homens.
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Lc 3:1; At 5:37; At 17:7)2This was the first registration when[1] Quirinius was governor of Syria. (Lc 2:1; Lc 3:1)3And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (1 Sm 16:1; Mt 2:1; Mt 2:23; Lc 1:26; Lc 1:27; Lc 2:11; Jo 7:42)5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[2] who was with child.6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (Lc 2:4)7And 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.[3] (Lc 2:12; Lc 2:16; Lc 22:11)
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Lc 9:31; Lc 24:4; At 7:55; At 12:7; 2 Co 3:18)10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Zc 9:9; Lc 2:32; Jo 11:50)11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Is 9:6; Mt 1:17; Mt 1:21; Lc 1:43; Lc 2:4; Lc 23:2; Jo 4:42; At 2:36; At 10:36)12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (1 Sm 2:34; 2 Rs 19:29; 2 Rs 20:8; Is 7:11; Is 7:14; Lc 2:7)13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (Gn 28:12; Gn 32:1; 1 Rs 22:19; 2 Cr 18:18; Sl 103:21; Sl 148:2; Dn 7:10; Ap 5:11)14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[4] (Sl 85:10; Sl 148:1; Is 9:6; Ag 2:9; Mt 6:10; Mt 21:9; Mt 28:18; Lc 1:79; Lc 3:22; Lc 10:21; Lc 12:32; Lc 19:38; Jo 17:4; At 7:49; At 10:36; Rm 5:1; Ef 1:5; Ef 1:9; Ef 2:14; Ef 2:17; Ef 3:15; Fp 2:13; Cl 1:16; Cl 1:20; Ap 5:13)15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Lc 2:7; Lc 2:12)17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Gn 37:11; Lc 1:66; Lc 2:51)20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Lc 7:16)21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Mt 1:21; Mt 1:25; Lc 1:31; Lc 1:59)
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22And 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 (1 Sm 1:22; 1 Sm 1:24; Lc 2:21; Lc 2:27; Gl 4:4)23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) (Ex 13:2; Ex 13:9; Ex 13:12; 2 Cr 31:3; Lc 2:39)24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Lv 12:8; Lc 2:23)25Now 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. (Gn 49:18; Is 25:9; Is 40:1; Is 57:18; Mc 15:43; Lc 1:6; Lc 2:38; Lc 23:51; At 2:5; At 8:2; At 22:12)26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (1 Sm 24:6; Sl 89:48; Lc 9:20; Lc 23:35; Jo 8:51; At 2:27; Hb 11:5)27And 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, (Lc 2:33; Lc 2:41; Lc 2:43; Lc 2:48)28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, (Lc 1:64)29“Lord, now you are letting your servant[5] depart in peace, according to your word; (Gn 15:15; Lc 2:26)30for my eyes have seen your salvation (Is 52:10; Lc 3:6)31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, (Sl 98:2; Lc 24:47)32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Is 42:6; Is 45:25; Is 46:13; Is 49:6; Is 52:10; Is 60:3; Lc 2:10; Jo 8:12; At 13:47; At 26:23)33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. (Lc 2:27)34And 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 (Is 8:14; Mt 21:44; Jo 9:39; At 28:22; 1 Co 1:23; 2 Co 2:16; 1 Pe 2:8)35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, (Ex 15:20)37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[6] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. (Mt 6:16; Lc 5:33; At 13:2; At 14:23; 2 Co 6:5; 2 Co 11:27; 1 Tm 5:5)38And 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. (Lc 1:68; Lc 2:25)
The Return to Nazareth
39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (Lc 2:4; Lc 2:23)40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Lc 1:80)
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (Ex 23:15; Dt 16:1; 1 Sm 1:3; Lc 2:27; Jo 2:13)42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. (Jo 11:55)43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, (Ex 12:15; Lv 23:8; Dt 16:3; Lc 2:41)44but 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,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Mt 26:55; Lc 5:17)47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents[7] 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.” (Lc 2:27; Lc 2:49)49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[8] (Lc 13:33; Jo 2:16; Jo 14:2)50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (Mc 9:32; Lc 18:34)51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (Lc 2:19)52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[9] and in favor with God and man. (1 Sm 2:26)