1 It was about that same time that Augustus Caesar sent out an order to all people in the countries that were under Roman rule. The order said that everyone’s name must be put on a list. 2 This was the first counting of all the people while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone traveled to their own hometowns to have their name put on the list.
4 So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the City of David. Joseph went there because he was from the line of David. 5 Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him (she was now pregnant.) 6 While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped Him up well and laid Him in a food-box where cattle are fed. She put Him there because the Inn was full.
8 That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. 9 An Angel of Alahim appeared to them, and the esteem of Alahim was shining all round them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The Angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you —news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your deliverer was born in the City of David. He is the Messiah, our Alahim the Master. 12 This is how you will know Him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in an animal feeding-box.”
13 Then a huge Army of Angels from Heaven joined the first Angel, and they were all praising Alahim, saying, 14 “Praise Alahim in Heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please Him.” 15 Then the Angels left the shepherds and went back to their dimension, and the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event that Alahim has told us about.”
16 So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding-box. 17 When they saw the baby, they told them what the Angels said about this child. 18 Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them. 20 The shepherds then went back to their sheep, praising Alahim and thanking Him for everything they had seen and heard. It was just as the Angel had told them. 21 When the baby was eight days old, He was circumcised, and He was named YAHUSHA. This name was given by the Angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.
22 And when the days of her cleansing were completed (according to Moses` Instructions regarding blood) Mary and Joseph brought YAHUSHA to Jerusalem so that they could present Him to Alahim.
LEVITICUS 12 SAYS THAT 40 DAYS AFTER A WOMAN GAVE BIRTH SHE MUST BE MADE RITUALLY CLEAN BY A CEREMONY AT THE TEMPLE.
23 It is written in the Divine Laws (ETERNAL WORDS) of YAHUAH: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he will be called ‘set-apart for YAHUAH.’”(EX 13) 24 It also says that people must bring a sacrifice: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” (LEV 12) So Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to do this.
25 A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man who was devoted to Alahim. He was waiting for the time when Alahim would come to help Israel. 26 The Set-Apart Spirit was with him and told him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah of Alahim. 27 The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. So he was there when Mary and Joseph brought the baby YAHUSHA to do what the Divine Laws said they must do. 28 Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked Alahim: 29 “Now, Master, you can let me, Your servant, die in peace as You said. 30 For I have seen with my own eyes how You will deliver Your people. 31Now all people can see Your mighty plan. 32 He is a light to show Your way to the other nations. And He will bring honour to Your people Yisharal.”
33 YAHUSHA’S father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about their son. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “Many in Yisharal will fall and many will rise because of this boy. He will be a sign from Alahim that some will not accept it. 35 So the secret thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that happen will be painful for you—like a sword cutting through your heart.”
36 And Anna (a prophetess) was there at the Temple also. She was from the family of Phanuel in the Tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years 37 before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped Alahim by fasting and praying day and night. 38 Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised Alahim and talked about YAHUSHA to all those who were waiting for Alahim's redemption in Jerusalem.
39 Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the Divine Laws of YAHUAH commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. 40 The little boy YAHUSHA was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom and favour. And Alahim was blessing Him.
41 Every year YAHUSHA’S parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 42 When YAHUSHA was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. 43 And when the festival was over, they went home, but YAHUSHA stayed in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know that He’d stayed behind. 44 They traveled for a whole day thinking that YAHUSHA was with them in the group. When they finally realised they began looking for Him among their family and close friends, 45 but they did not find Him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him there.
46 And after three days they finally found the young YAHUSHA sitting in the Temple area with the Teachers, listening and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and wise answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they also wondered how this was possible. And His mother said, “Son, why on earth did You do this to us? Your father and I have been searching everywhere, worried sick about you!!!” 49 YAHUSHA said to them, “Why did you have to look for Me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.” 50 But they did not understand the meaning of what He said to them.
51 So YAHUSHA went with them back to Nazareth and obeyed them. And His mother was still thinking about all these things constantly. 52 And as YAHUSHA grew taller, He continued to grow in wisdom also. Alahim was pleased with Him and so were the people who knew Him.
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