And because Joseph was a descendant of King David,
 
he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, 

David’s ancient home. 

He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

He took with him Mary, his fiancée, 

who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, 

the time came for her baby to be born.

She gave birth to her first child, a son.
 
She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth 

and laid him in a manger, 

because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby,

guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly,
 
an angel of the Lord appeared among them, 

and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. 

They were terrified,

but the angel reassured them. 

“Don’t be afraid!”
 
he said.
 
“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

The Savior—

yes, 

the Messiah,
 
the Lord—

has been born today in Bethlehem, 

the city of David!

And you will recognize him by this sign: 

You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, 

lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:4-12