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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."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to the one another, Lets go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they
spread the word concerning what had been told them about
this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart. 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: 1-20 NIV
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