The Christmas Story

Mary, a young virgin in the village of Nazareth was engaged to be married to the village carpenter, Joseph. Mary was happy, preparing for her wedding. One day as she worked, an angel appeared in her house. Mary was frightened, but the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Mary, you have made God very happy, and God has chosen you to be the mother of God's son. He will bring peace to all the arth. When you baby is born, you must name him Jesus. Nothing is impossible for God."

Later, as Joseph slept, the angel visited him as well. "Joseph," the angel said, "Mary will have a baby who will save the whole world. He is the child the prophets spoke about, Emmanuel, which means God is with us!"

Meanwhile, a baby boy had been born to Mary's cousin Elizabeth. His father, Zechariah, knew that his baby was special too. He knew that little John would grow up to tell people about God's love and forgiveness, and about God's son. "Jesus," Zechariah said, "would be like a bright light in the darkness, leading people to God."

Sometime after the angel's visit, a herald came to Nazareth to announce a decree from the Emperor. Everyone would have to go to the city of their ancestors to register for a census. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because Joseph was a descendant of King David. Bethlehem was known as the House of David.

By the time they got there, every room in the inn was full. Mary knew that her baby woudl soon be born, so they took shelter in a stable. That night baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped him in bands of cloth, called swaddling clothes. Joseph made a soft bed for him in the manger.

That same night, on a hillside outside Bethlehem, shepherds were taking care of their flocks of sheep. Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared in the sky. The angel was surrounded by a glowing light, so bright the shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. This very night a Savior has been born and he is Christ the Lord. You will find the baby in a stable in Bethlehem."

And suddenly there were more angels in the sky, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will."

The angels went away into heaven, and the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go and find the baby who God has sent to save the world." They hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, lying in a manger.

Then the shepherds went back to the fields, telling everyone they saw the good news that the angels had brought.

Joseph moved his little family into a home and went on with his carpenter's work. Time passed and Jesus grew. One day the family was startled by travelers at their door. Wise Men had traveled a long way following a start they knew would lead them ot the baby king. At every stop, they had asked the question, "Where is the baby who has been born to be a king? We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him."

When they observed the star over the house where Jesus lived, they were overwhelmed with joy. When Joseph opened the door, they went in and knelt down and worshiped Jesus and gave him wonderful gifts they had brought along.

The good news the angels brought was good news for the shepherds and the Wise Men, and it was good news for you and for me!

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