And it fortuned, as soon as the angels were gone away into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is happened, which the lord hath shewed unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Ioseph, and the babe laid in a manger. And when they had seen it, they published abroad the saying, which was told them of that child. And all that heard it wondered, at those things which were told them of the shepherds. But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, praising and lauding God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was told unto them.
And when the eighth day was come that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Iesus, which was named of the Angel before he was conceived in the mother's womb.
And when the time of their purification (after the law of Moses) was come they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the lord (As it is written in the law of the lord: every man child that first openeth the matrix, shall be called holy to the lord) and to offer (as it is said in the law of the lord) a pair of turtle doves, or ij. young pigeons.
And behold there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God, and longed for the consolation of Israhel, and the holy ghost was in him. And an answer was given him of the holy ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the lord's Christ. And he came by inspiration into the temple.
And as the father and mother brought in the child Iesus, to do for him after the custom of the law: Then took he him up in his arms and said. Lord Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise. For mine eyes have seen the saviour sent from thee: Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israhel. And his father and mother marvelled at those things, which were spoken of him: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother: behold, this child shall be the fall, and resurrection of many in Israhel: And a sign which shall be spoken against. And moreover the sword shall pierce the very heart of thee, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened.
And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of tribe of Aser. And she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband. vij. years from her virginity. And this widow about iiij. score and iiij. years of age, which went never out of the temple, but served there with fasting and prayer night and day. And she came forth that same hour, and praised God, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.
And as soon as they had performed all things according to the law of the lord, they returned into Galile into their own city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was full of wisdom, and the favour of God was with him.
And his father and mother went to Hierusalem every year at the feast of ester. And when he was xij. years old, they went up to Hierusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned home, the child Iesus bode still in Hierusalem, unknowing to his father and mother. For they supposed he had been in the company. They came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance, and found him not They went back again to Hierusalem, and sought him. And it fortuned after iij. days, they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and posing them. And all that heard him marvelled at his wit and answers.
And when they saw him, they were astonied. And his mother said unto him: son why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold thy father and I have sorowed and sought thee. And he said unto them: how is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must go about my father's business? And they understood not the saying that he spake to them. And he went with them, and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Iesus increased in wisdom and age, and in favour with God and man.
The .iij. Chapter.