Jesus is born in Bethlehem

Mary lived in Nazareth with her parents. She was engaged to a man named Joseph.

One day God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. The angel told Mary, “The

Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you.” Mary didn’t understand the angel’s words, but the angel said, “Don’t be scared! God is pleased with you. You are going to have a baby boy, and you must call him Jesus. He is the Son of God, and he will rule forever.” Mary still didn’t understand, but she said, “I serve the Lord. I’m happy to do whatever he wants.”

The angel also told Joseph about the baby in a dream. He said the Holy Spirit had sent the baby, and that he would save his people from their sins. Joseph promised to look after Mary and the baby. The emperor wanted to make a list of all the people in his empire. So everyone had to go to the town where their families had always lived. Joseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because they belonged to the family of David. Bethlehem was full of people who had come to put their names on the emperor’s list. Joseph and Mary couldn’t find a place to stay, but in the end, someone said they could stay in their stable.

And then the baby was born right there in the stable. Mary wrapped her little son in large strips of cloth and put him in a manger. At the same time, there were shepherds looking after their sheep in the fields near the town. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news; news that will bring great joy for all the people. If you go to Bethlehem, you will find a baby in a manger. He is your Saviour. He is the Lord.” Then a large group of angels appeared. They praised God and said,“Glory to God in the highest heaven! And peace to those he is pleased with on earth!” When the angels left, the shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem. They wanted to see the baby in the manger. They found Mary, Joseph and the baby, just as the angel had said. They began to praise God because they were excited about everything that had happened. They also told everyone about the angels and the baby who was their Saviour. Mary quietly listened to everyone. She remembered everything that had happened on that wonderful day. Matthew 1:18–25 Luke 2:1–21