Part 680 (1/2)

2:9. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of G.o.d shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear.

2:10. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people:

2:11. For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.

2:12. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

2:13. And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly army, praising G.o.d and saying:

2:14. Glory to G.o.d in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.

2:15. And it came to pa.s.s, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pa.s.s, which the Lord hath shewed to us.

2:16. And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

2:17. And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.

2:18. And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

2:19. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

2:20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising G.o.d for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

2:21. And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circ.u.mcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

2:22. And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

2:23. As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

2:24. And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:

2:25. And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him.

2:26. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

2:27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

2:28. He also took him into his arms and blessed G.o.d and said

2:29. Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:

2:30. Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

2:31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

2:32. A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

2:33. And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

2:34. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted.