The Birth of Jesus Christ

Luke 2:1-21

And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register the whole world. This registration first happened when Qurenius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth into Judah, into the town of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the household and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary who was engaged to him, who was pregnant. And it happened while they were there the days were fulfilled for her to deliver, and she delivered her first-born son and wrapped him in baby clothes and put him to be in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shined around them, and they feared greatly. And the angel said to them, "Do not fear, for behold I bring to you good news of great joy which is for all the people, that a savior was born to you today in the town of David who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in baby clothes and put to bed in a feeding trough." And it happened that there appeared with the angel a multitude of the army of heaven praising God and saying, "Glory to God on high, and peace upon the earth, goodwill to mankind."

And it happened as the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go into Bethlehem and see this word which has happened, which the Lord made known to us." And they went hurriedly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby put to bed in a feeding trough. And they beheld what was made known to them in the word which was spoken to them concerning this child. And they all marveled when they heard what was told them by the shepherds. But Mary gathered up all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds departed glorifying and praising God for the things they heard and saw just as it was spoken to them.

And when eight days were fulfilled they circumcised him and called his name Jesus, the name given him by the angel when he was in the womb.