*Luke 2:1-20
After Caesar Augustus decrees a census, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born in a manger and visited by shepherds.
- Decree of Caesar Augustus:
- The passage begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the Roman world should be registered, requiring everyone to go to their own town for the census.
- Joseph and Mary’s Journey to Bethlehem:
- Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, travels from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, with Mary, who is pregnant and betrothed to him.
- The Birth of Jesus:
- While they are in Bethlehem, the time comes for Mary to give birth to her firstborn son.
- Due to the crowded conditions caused by the census, they find no room in the inn, so Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays Him in a manger, as there was no place for them in the inn.
- The Announcement to the Shepherds:
- Nearby, in the fields, shepherds are watching over their flocks by night.
- An angel of the Lord appears to them, and the glory of the Lord shines around them, causing great fear.
- The Angel’s Message:
- The angel reassures the shepherds, telling them not to be afraid, for he brings good news of great joy for all people.
- He announces the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord, in the city of David, who is wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
- The Heavenly Host:
- Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts join the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
- The Shepherds’ Response:
- The shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, and they find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them.
- The Shepherds’ Testimony:
- After seeing Jesus, the shepherds spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.
- Mary’s Response:
- Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart, reflecting on the miraculous events surrounding the birth of her son.
2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.