Luke 2:1-20

¹Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. ²This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³Everyone went to his own town to be registered. ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth because he was of the house and family line of David. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds’ Visit

⁸Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: ¹¹Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³Suddenly 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 with whom he is pleased!” ¹⁵When 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.” ¹⁶So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. ²⁰So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.