Birth of Jesus of Nazareth
Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that a decree was issued by Caesar Augustus, requiring the entire world to be taxed. And this taxation was when Cyrenius was first appointed as governor of Syria. And everyone went to his hometown to be taxed. Submitting, Joseph left Galilee, a city of Nazareth, and went to Bethlehem in Judea, which is the city of David, since he was of the house and lineage of David. Going to be taxed, he also took Mary his pregnant wife.
​
And while they were there, her delivery day came and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in birthing cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
​
And in the same country there were shepherds in the fields, keeping their flocks at night. And, surprisingly, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord showed around them and they were terrified!
​
And the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Look, I am bringing you good news of great joy, which shall be for all people. This day, in the city of David, a Savior—Messiah, the Lord—is born. And this will be a sign for you. You shall find the babe wrapped in birthing cloths, lying in a manger.
​
And suddenly, with the angel there was a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
​
And it came to pass, after the angels had left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has occurred that the Lord told us about. And they hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they told everyone what they had discovered about the child.
​
And everyone that heard about it wondered about the event of which the shepherds had told them. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
​
And the shepherds returned to the fields, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It was just as they had been told.
​
​