Daily Meditation
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men."
The Birth of
Jesus
And it came to
pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all
the world should be taxed. (And this
taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his
own city. And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the
inn.
The Shepherds and
the Angels
And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people. For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
And it came to
pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is
come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was
told them concerning this child. And all
they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds. But Mary kept all these
things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the
things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The Presentation
of Jesus in the Temple
And when eight days were accomplished for the
circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the
angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And when the days
of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they
brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that
which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young
pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting
for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy
Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple:
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom
of the law, then took he him up in his
arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace,according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou
hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those
things which were spoken of him. And
Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be
spoken against; (yea, a sword shall
pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed.
And there was one
Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a
great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and
four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings
and prayers night and day. And she
coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Return to
Nazareth
And when they had
performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into
Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And
the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace
of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in
the Temple
Now 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 after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus
tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and
acquaintance. And when they found him
not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days
they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them questions. And all
that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and
his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy
father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father’s business? And
they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to
Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in
her heart.
And
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, may your love and grace which are beyond our understanding, continue to fill our hearts and keep our minds through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thanks, Lord, for the gift of Life. Amen.
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