And it came to pass

in those days

that a decree went out

from Caesar Augustus

that all the world

should be registered.

This census first took place

while Quirinius was

governing Syria.

So all went to be registered,

everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up

from Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth,

into Judea,

to the city of David,

which is called Bethlehem,

because he

was of the house

and lineage of David,

to be registered with Mary,

his betrothed wife,

who was with child.

So it was,

that while they were there,

the days were completed

for her to be delivered.

And she brought forth

her firstborn Son,

and wrapped Him

in swaddling cloths,

and laid Him in a manger,

because there was no room for them

in the inn.

Now there were

in the same country

shepherds living out in the fields,

keeping watch

over their flock by night.

And behold,

an angel of the Lord

stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord

shone around them,

and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid,

for behold,

I bring you good tidings

of great joy which

will be to all people.

For there is born to you this day

in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you:

You will find a Babe

wrapped in swaddling cloths,

lying in a manger.”

And suddenly

there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels

had gone away from them

into heaven,

that the shepherds

said to one another,

“Let us now go to Bethlehem

and see this thing

that has come to pass,

which the Lord has made known to us.”

And they came with haste

and found Mary and Joseph,

and the Babe lying in a manger.

Now when they had seen Him,

they made widely known the saying

which was told them concerning this Child.

And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things

and pondered them in her heart.

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising

God for all the things that they had

heard and seen, as it was told them.