Luke 2

1. Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.
2. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3. Everyone went to his own town to be registered.
4. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.
5. He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, 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 first-born son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
    
8. Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night.
9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.
10. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Pay attention: I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:
11. For to you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
12. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
13. Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people in whom he takes pleasure!”
     
15. When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.”
16. So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.
17. When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child,
18. and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said.
19. But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.
20. So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.