The Birth of Jesus Christ
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the
world should be registered. This was the first registration when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered,
each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from
the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And
while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in
the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not,
for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for
all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a
manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the
highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is
pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing
that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they
went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a
manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had
been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered
at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these
things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it
had been told them.
--- Holy Bible, Gospel of Luke Chapter 2: 1-20
