2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all
the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and
was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their
own towns to be registered. 4 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. 5 He went to be
registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7 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.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the
fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of
the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the
Messiah,[a]
the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child
wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly
there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b]
praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on
earth peace among those whom he favours!’[c] 15 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.’
16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child
lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had
been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these
words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told
them. ~ Biblegateway.com May your heart always know the true meaning of Christmas!