And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.

Factum est autem in diebus illis, exiit edictum a Cæsare Augusto ut describeretur universus orbis.

It happened that a decree went out at this time from the emperor Augustus, enjoining that the whole world should be registered;

This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.

Hæc descriptio prima facta est a præside Syriæ Cyrino:

this register was the first one made during the time when Cyrinus was governor of Syria.

And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem.

All must go and give in their names, each in his own city;

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,

Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilæa de civitate Nazareth in Judæam, in civitatem David, quæ vocatur Bethlehem: eo quod esset de domo et familia David,

and Joseph, being of David’s clan and family, came up from the town of Nazareth, in Galilee, to David’s city in Judaea, the city called Bethlehem,

To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore prægnante.

to give in his name there. With him was his espoused wife Mary, who was then in her pregnancy;

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.

Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies ut pareret.

and it was while they were still there that the time came for her delivery.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Et peperit filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in præsepio: quia non erat eis locus in diversorio.

She brought forth a son, her first-born, whom she wrapped in his swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.

Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum.

In the same country there were shepherds awake in the fields, keeping night-watches over their flocks.

And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear.

Et ecce angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno.

And all at once an angel of the Lord came and stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them, so that they were overcome with fear.

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:

Et dixit illis angelus: Nolite timere: ecce enim evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo:

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; behold, I bring you good news of a great rejoicing for the whole people.

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

quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David.

This day, in the city of David, a Saviour has been born for you, the Lord Christ himself.

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

Et hoc vobis signum: invenietis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in præsepio.

This is the sign by which you are to know him; you will find a child still in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying:

Et subito facta est cum angelo multitudo militiæ cælestis laudantium Deum, et dicentium:

Then, on a sudden, a multitude of the heavenly army appeared to them at the angel’s side, giving praise to God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

Gloria in altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.

Glory to God in high heaven, and peace on earth to men that are God’s friends.

And it came to pass, 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 pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.

Et factum est, ut discesserunt ab eis angeli in cælum: pastores loquebantur ad invicem: Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis.

When the angels had left them, and gone back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Come, let us make our way to Bethlehem, and see for ourselves this happening which God has made known to us.

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

Et venerunt festinantes: et invenerunt Mariam, et Joseph, et infantem positum in præsepio.

And so they went with all haste, and found Mary and Joseph there, with the child lying in the manger.

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

Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de puero hoc.

On seeing him, they discovered the truth of what had been told them about this child.

And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

Et omnes qui audierunt, mirati sunt: et de his quæ dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos.

All those who heard it were full of amazement at the story which the shepherds told them;

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

Maria autem conservabat omnia verba hæc, conferens in corde suo.

but Mary treasured up all these sayings, and reflected on them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Et reversi sunt pastores glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus quæ audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.

And the shepherds went home giving praise and glory to God, at seeing and hearing that all was as it had been told them.

And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

Et postquam consummati sunt dies octo, ut circumcideretur puer, vocatum est nomen ejus Jesus, quod vocatum est ab angelo priusquam in utero conciperetur.

When eight days had passed, and the boy must be circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before ever he was conceived in the womb.

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:

Et postquam impleti sunt dies purgationis ejus secundum legem Moysi, tulerunt illum in Jerusalem, ut sisterent eum Domino,

And when the time had come for purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him before the Lord there.

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

sicut scriptum est in lege Domini: Quia omne masculinum adaperiens vulvam, sanctum Domino vocabitur:

It is written in God’s law, that whatever male offspring opens the womb is to be reckoned sacred to the Lord;

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

et ut darent hostiam secundum quod dictum est in lege Domini, par turturum, aut duos pullos columbarum.

and so they must offer in sacrifice for him, as God’s law commanded, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.

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.

Et ecce homo erat in Jerusalem, cui nomen Simeon, et homo iste justus, et timoratus, exspectans consolationem Israël: et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo.

At this time there was a man named Simeon living in Jerusalem, an upright man of careful observance, who waited patiently for comfort to be brought to Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him;

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.

Et responsum acceperat a Spiritu Sancto, non visurum se mortem, nisi prius videret Christum Domini.

and by the Holy Spirit it had been revealed to him that he was not to meet death, until he had seen that Christ whom the Lord had anointed.

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,

Et venit in spiritu in templum. Et cum inducerent puerum Jesum parentes ejus, ut facerent secundum consuetudinem legis pro eo,

He now came, led by the Spirit, into the temple; and when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, to perform the custom which the law enjoined concerning him,

He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

et ipse accepit eum in ulnas suas: et benedixit Deum, et dixit:

Simeon too was able to take him in his arms. And he said, blessing God:

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;

Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Ruler of all, now dost thou let thy servant go in peace, according to thy word;

Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,

for my own eyes have seen that saving power of thine

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations.

A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuæ Israël.

This is the light which shall give revelation to the Gentiles, this is the glory of thy people Israel.

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

Et erat pater ejus et mater mirantes super his quæ dicebantur de illo.

The father and mother of the child were still wondering over all that was said of him,

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;

Et benedixit illis Simeon, et dixit ad Mariam matrem ejus: Ecce positus est hic in ruinam et in resurrectionem multorum in Israël, et in signum cui contradicetur:

when Simeon blessed them, and said to his mother Mary, Behold, this child is destined to bring about the fall of many and the rise of many in Israel; to be a sign which men will refuse to acknowledge;

And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

et tuam ipsius animam pertransibit gladius ut revelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes.

and so the thoughts of many hearts shall be made manifest; as for thy own soul, it shall have a sword to pierce it.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.

Et erat Anna prophetissa, filia Phanuel, de tribu Aser: hæc processerat in diebus multis, et vixerat cum viro suo annis septem a virginitate sua.

There was besides a prophetess named Anna, daughter to one Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser (a woman greatly advanced in age, since she had lived with a husband for seven years after her maidenhood,

And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.

Et hæc vidua usque ad annos octoginta quatuor: quæ non discedebat de templo, jejuniis et obsecrationibus serviens nocte ac die.

and had now been eighty-four years a widow) who abode continually in the temple night and day, serving God with fasting and prayer.

Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

Et hæc, ipsa hora superveniens, confitebatur Domino: et loquebatur de illo omnibus, qui exspectabant redemptionem Israël.

She too, at that very hour, came near to give God thanks, and spoke of the child to all that patiently waited for the deliverance of Israel.

And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.

Et ut perfecerunt omnia secundum legem Domini, reversi sunt in Galilæam in civitatem suam Nazareth.

And now, when all had been done that the law of the Lord required, they returned to Galilee, and to their own town of Nazareth.

And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

Puer autem crescebat, et confortabatur plenus sapientia: et gratia Dei erat in illo.

And so the child grew and came to his strength, full of wisdom; and the grace of God rested upon him.

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch,

Et ibant parentes ejus per omnes annos in Jerusalem, in die solemni Paschæ.

Every year, his parents used to go up to Jerusalem at the paschal feast.

And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,

Et cum factus esset annorum duodecim, ascendentibus illis Jerosolymam secundum consuetudinem diei festi,

And when he was twelve years old, after going up to Jerusalem, as the custom was at the time of the feast,

And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.

consummatisque diebus, cum redirent, remansit puer Jesus in Jerusalem, et non cognoverunt parentes ejus.

and completing the days of its observance, they set about their return home. But the boy Jesus, unknown to his parents, continued his stay in Jerusalem.

And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.

Existimantes autem illum esse in comitatu, venerunt iter diei, et requirebant eum inter cognatos et notos.

And they, thinking that he was among their travelling companions, had gone a whole day’s journey before they made enquiry for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.

And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.

Et non invenientes, regressi sunt in Jerusalem, requirentes eum.

When they could not find him, they made their way back to Jerusalem in search of him,

And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions.

Et factum est, post triduum invenerunt illum in templo sedentem in medio doctorum, audientem illos, et interrogantem eos.

and it was only after three days that they found him. He was sitting in the temple, in the midst of those who taught there, listening to them and asking them questions;

And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.

Stupebant autem omnes qui eum audiebant, super prudentia et responsis ejus.

and all those who heard him were in amazement at his quick understanding and at the answers he gave.

And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Et videntes admirati sunt. Et dixit mater ejus ad illum: Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? ecce pater tuus et ego dolentes quærebamus te.

Seeing him there, they were full of wonder, and his mother said to him, My Son, why hast thou treated us so? Think, what anguish of mind thy father and I have endured, searching for thee.

And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business?

Et ait ad illos: Quid est quod me quærebatis? nesciebatis quia in his quæ Patris mei sunt, oportet me esse?

But he asked them, What reason had you to search for me? Could you not tell that I must needs be in the place which belongs to my Father?

And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.

Et ipsi non intellexerunt verbum quod locutus est ad eos.

These words which he spoke to them were beyond their understanding;

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.

Et descendit cum eis, et venit Nazareth: et erat subditus illis. Et mater ejus conservabat omnia verba hæc in corde suo.

but he went down with them on their journey to Nazareth, and lived there in subjection to them, while his mother kept in her heart the memory of all this.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

Et Jesus proficiebat sapientia, et ætate, et gratia apud Deum et homines.

And so Jesus advanced in wisdom with the years, and in favour both with God and with men.