1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria.
3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y'hudah,
5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth;
7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks,
9 when an angel of ADONAI appeared to them, and the Sh'khinah of ADONAI shone around them. They were terrified;
10 but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people.
11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord.
12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough."
13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God:
14 "In the highest heaven, glory to God! And on earth, peace among people of good will!"

May the blessings of God in and through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, be yours. Merry Christmas to all.