1. 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 Quirinius was governor
of Syria.)
3. And everyone went to his 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 room for them in the
inn.
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 of great joy that will be for all the people.
11. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ
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, and on earth peace to men 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.