Luke
1:1-4 (NIV)
1 Many have undertaken to draw up
an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to
us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the
word.3 With this in mind, since I myself
have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to
write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the
certainty of the things you have been taught.
Footnotes:
- Luke 1:1 Or been
surely believed
Luke
2:1-15 (NIV)
2 In those days Caesar
Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman
world. 2 (This was the first census that
took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of
Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own
town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the
town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David,
because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest
room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living
out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do
not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the
people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has
been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the
heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and
gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Footnotes:
- Luke 2:2 Or This
census took place before
May you have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year. See you in 2018!