Christmas Day
Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world
should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be
registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to
Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended
from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary,
to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were
there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to
her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But
the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you
good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign
for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken
place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and
found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw
this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all
who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary
treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as
it had been told them.
