Caesar Augustus ordered a registration throughout the empire. People went to their own towns to be registered. Because Joseph belonged to David’s family, he traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s town. Mary went with him. She was engaged to Joseph and was expecting a child.
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger because there was no space for them in the lodging place.
That night shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks in fields near Bethlehem. An angel of the Lord stood beside them, and the Lord’s glory shone around them. The shepherds were terrified. The angel told them not to be afraid and said he brought news of great joy for all the people.
A Savior had been born that day in David’s town, the angel said. He was Christ the Lord. The shepherds would find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, and that would be the sign given to them.
Then a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. They praised God and spoke of glory to God and peace among those on whom his favor rests. When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said they should go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord had made known to them.
They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. They told others what the angel had said about the child, and everyone who heard was amazed. Mary kept these words and considered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God because everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told.