In the small village of Nazareth, there lived a young women whose name was Mary.
She was filled with the love of God.

One day while she prayed God's angel came to her and said,
"You are full of Grace! The Lord is with you!
You will have a son whose name will be Jesus.
He will be the Son of God."

Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, who was a carpenter in the village of Nazareth.
Every day he worked in his shop where he made furniture and wagons.
Joseph was a loving and sincere young man.
He dreamed of his future and of Mary, whom he would marry.

Once he dreamed God's angel told him that Mary's baby was God's child.
The angel said, "Do not be afraid, Mary's child is the Son of God."

Joseph would marry Mary, and Jesus would be a son to him.

Shortly after their wedding, the Roman emperor wanted a count of all the people.
Everyone had to return to their hometown to be counted.
Joseph belonged to the family of King David, whose hometown was Bethlehem.

At once, Mary and Joseph left for Bethlehem.

The town was crowded and noisy. People and animals filled the busy streets.
Because the town was so crowded, Joseph and Mary could not find a place to sleep.
They were so tired and Mary thought her baby would soon be born.
Someone told them of a manger that was outside of town.

It was used to shelter animals. In this place, Mary and Joseph could rest.
This very ordinary place would become a very special place.

The time for the baby's birth had come at last.
On the first Christmas Day, Jesus was born.
His mother wrapped him warmly and laid him in the soft hay.
Joseph looked with love as they adored their new baby.
They remembered the words, "He shall be the Son of God."

During that night some shepherds were watching their sheep in a field close by.
God's angel appeared and said, "Do not fear, I have wonderful news!
In Bethlehem, a child has been born.
The child is Christ the Lord."
The angel said, "You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and asleep in a manger."

As the shepherds wondered what this angel's message meant, more angels came and the whole sky was filled with a beautiful light.
They sang, "Glory to God in Heaven, and Peace to all people on Earth."

The shepherds looked about in amazement at the magnificent sight.
They hurried to the stable in Bethlehem.
There they found Mary, Joseph and the baby.
It was just as the angel had said.
In Bethlehem had been born, Christ the Lord.

Author Unknown

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