So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth to 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 Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ
the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped inc 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 favour 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.
