The Story of Christmas

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 one another
"Let's 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

This is the story of Christmas