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Date:
Tue, 16 Dec 2003 18:29:23 -0500
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Shame on you, Matt.  If you read my note about the manger the other day you
would know.  Smile.  It's Luke Chapter 2.  Here it is in the New American
Standard version:

  Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be
taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while
Quirinius  was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register
for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from
the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to
register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While
they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave
birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and
keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly
stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they
were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord. "This  will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped
in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in
the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the
angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to
one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that
has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry
and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the
manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had
been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things
which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things,
pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and
praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told
them.

  And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then
called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the
womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses
were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS
THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"), and to offer a sacrifice
according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR
TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

  And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was
righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy
Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that
he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in
the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms,
and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to
depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your
salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT
OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel." And His
father and mother  were amazed at the things which were being said about
Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this
Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign
to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that
thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." And there was a prophetess, Anna
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years
and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a
widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night
and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment  she came up and
began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who
were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had performed
everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to
their own city of Nazareth. The Child continued to grow and become strong,
increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

  Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the
Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days,
the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of
it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and
they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When
they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then,
after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the
teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who
heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw
Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You
treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking
for You." And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did
you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?" But they did not
understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with
them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His
mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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