In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should
be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that
took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to
his own town to register.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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged
to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there,
the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you
good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the
town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Merry Christmas, everyone.
