The Nativity

During the reign of Caesar Augustus, a decree was issued for a census of the entire Roman world, which first took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1-2). Everyone traveled to their own towns to register. Joseph, being of the house and line of David, traveled from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child (Luke 2:3-5). While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

Because there was no guest room available for them, Mary wrapped the infant in cloths and placed him in a manger (Luke 2:7). Nearby, shepherds were living in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid, announcing the birth of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the town of David (Luke 2:8-11). The angel provided a sign that they would find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, and a great company of the heavenly host appeared, praising God.

After the angels left, the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby just as they had been told (Luke 2:15-16). The text does not say how Joseph or Mary reacted to the arrival of the shepherds, other than noting that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). The shepherds then returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told (Luke 2:20).