Luke 2:1-18 ▼

1 At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census of the Roman Empire.

2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 All the people went to register in the cities where their ancestors had lived.

4 So Joseph went from Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a Judean city called Bethlehem. Joseph, a descendant of King David, went to Bethlehem because David had been born there.

5 Joseph went there to register with Mary. She had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant.

6 While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child.

7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn't any room for them in the inn.

8 Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night.

9 An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified.

10 The angel said to them, |Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy.

11 Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David's city.

12 This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.|

13 Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were praising God by saying,

14 |Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those who have his good will!|

15 The angels left them and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, |Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.|

16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in a manger.

17 When they saw the child, they repeated what they had been told about him.

18 Everyone who heard the shepherds' story was amazed.