The Birth
of Jesus (Luke 2:1-15, New International Version)
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[a] Quirinius
was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to
their 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 guest room available for them.
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 that will cause great joy for all the
people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has
been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour
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.”
May you have a wonderful Christmas (free from overweening bureaucrats taking away what doesn't belong to them!) and a restful New Year!
