December 25 The Harvard Classics, fifteen minutes a day
The Christmas Story
Luke was a Greek physician, a man of culture, trained in the best universities of the ancient world. He became imbued with the spirit of Christ, and wrote the most beautiful story of the birth and life of Jesus.
- Christmas Day.
From the 1930 Reading Guide
the Gospel of St. Luke
Page 357 opens with the end of chapter I; the reading starts at the heading “II”.
II
[1] Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the1 world should be enrolled. [2] This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; [5] to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. [6] And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. [7] And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[8] And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch2 by night over their flock. [9] And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [10] And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: [11] for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ3 the Lord. [12] And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
[15] And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing6 that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [16] And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. [18] And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. [19] But Mary kept all these sayings,7 pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
[21] And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
[22] And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), [24] and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. [25] And behold, 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. [26] And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, [28] then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
[33] And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; [34] and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; [35] yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. [36] And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of11 a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, [37] and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. [38] And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. [39] And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
[40] And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled12 with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
[41] And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. [42] And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; [43] and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; [44] but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: [45] and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. [46] And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers,13 both hearing them, and asking them questions: [47] and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son,14 why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. [49] And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in15 my Father’s house? [50] And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. [51] And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings16 in her heart.
[52] And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature,17 and in favor18 with God and men.
III
[1] Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, [2] in the highpriesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. [3] And he came into all the region round about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; [4] as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
Page 360 ends inside verse 4 of chapter III, in the middle of the quotation from Isaiah; the reading runs on to its end with verse 6 on page 361.
Volume 44, pages 357–360 · See the scanned page on archive.org
This is the reading for December 25 in Fifteen Minutes a Day: The Reading Guide (1930 edition), page 94. There the assignment reads “Vol. 44, pp. 357–360.” Read it in the guide.