4So Joseph also went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register
with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a
child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7and 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.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living
out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for
all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will
find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When
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.”
16So they hurried
off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what
had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen,
which were just as they had been told.