Her firstborn... The meaning is, not that she had afterward any other child; but it is a way of speech among the Hebrews, to call them also the firstborn, who are the only children. See annotation Matt. 1. 25. 2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. 2:9. 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. 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 multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: 2:14. Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will. 2:15. 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. 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 God 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 circumcised, 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 God 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: