A long, long time ago, in a small village called Nazareth, there lived a young girl named Maria. Mary was very kind and loved God with all her heart. One day an angel came to her and said: “Do not be afraid, Mary! God has chosen you for something very special. You will have a son. Call him Jesus. He will be the Savior of the world!” Mary was amazed, but she trusted God and said, “I am ready to do whatever God wants.”
Mary was engaged to Joseph, a lovely man who was a carpenter. One day, Mary and Joseph had to go on a long journey because the emperor wanted everyone to be counted in their own city. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. It was a long way, and Mary was very tired. Just before they reached the city, the time came for the baby to be born.
There were many people in Bethlehem, and all the inns were full. Mary and Joseph looked everywhere for a room, but there was no place available. Finally, they found a friendly landlord who offered them to spend the night in his stable. A stable is a place where the animals sleep. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but Mary and Joseph were grateful.
That night, the baby Jesus was born! Mary wrapped him in soft cloths and placed him in a manger, a small bed, so to speak, which the animals use to eat.
That same night, in a nearby field, some shepherds were with their sheep. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them. The angel said, “Do not be afraid! I bring you great news. Today the Saviour was born! He’s lying in diapers in a manger!” Many angels came and sang songs to praise God.
The shepherds were so excited that they immediately ran to Bethlehem. There they found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said. They were very happy and told everyone what they had experienced.
And far away in the east, wise men saw a bright star in the sky. The star showed them the way to the newborn king. They brought gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh and were happy to see the baby Jesus.
Message of history
The birth of Jesus shows us that God loves us very much. Jesus is a special gift for all people.
Bible passage
The accounts of the birth of Jesus are found in Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-25. Here are the relevant sections:
Luke 2:1-20 (Schlachter 2000):
“Now it came to pass in those days that a decree was issued by Caesar Augustus to inscribe the whole world. This inscription was the first and happened when Cyrenius ruled over Syria. And they all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. Joseph of Galilee also went up from the city of Nazareth to Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and line of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. But it came to pass, while they were there, that the days were fulfilled that she was to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for her in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same region in the field, guarding their flock at night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were very afraid. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall come to all people; for a Saviour has been born to you today in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. And this is a sign to you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel the multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, in the people of good pleasure.” And it came to pass, as the angels were going away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see the thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. But when they saw him, they made known everywhere the word that had been spoken to them about this child. And all those before whom it came were amazed at what the shepherds had said to them. But Mary kept all these words and moved them in her heart. And the shepherds turned back, praising and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.”
Matthew 1:18-25 (Schlachter 2000):
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, it was found before they had come together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph, her husband, was righteous and did not want to expose her publicly, but intended to dismiss her secretly. And while he was thinking of this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife to yourself; for that which is begotten in it is of the Holy Spirit. And she will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will deliver his people from their sins. Now all these things were done in order that what the Lord said through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called Emmanuel, which translates as God with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took his wife with him; and he did not recognize her until she had given birth to her firstborn son; and he gave him the name Jesus.”
