THE BIRTH OF JESUS/CHRISTMAS
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census
should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first
census that took place while [a] Quirinius was governor of
Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged
to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting
a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to
be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She
wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because
there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not
be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all
the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign
to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us
about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him,
they spread the word concerning what had been told them
about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what
the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had
heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2/KJV
