The Birth of Jesus
About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken
throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of
Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted
for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in
Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go
there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid
him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They
had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them
and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t
be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for
everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who
is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a
blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing
God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders
talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for
ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and
Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told
everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the
sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear,
deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and
praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the
way they’d been told! Luke 2:1-20
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