A long long time ago, there was a man named Joseph and a lady named Mary. They lived in Nazareth, a little town in Israel. One night they both were visited by angels. The angels told Mary that she would have a baby. A very special baby. The baby will be the son of God. A ball of fire came down from heaven and touched Mary and so she was with child by God. Joseph was told that he was to go and marry Mary and support her. Mary and Joseph got married and as they where told by the angels they journeyed to Bethlehem.

Mary was ready to bring the baby into the world. So Joseph had to find shelter for her. But there wasn't a room left anywhere in Bethlehem. An inn keeper said that he had a stable with fresh straw that they could sleep in. So Joseph and Mary settled into the stable and that is where she had the baby. A beautiful baby boy who they named Jesus. There was no crib to lay the baby in, only a manger whish is used to feed the cattle. Joseph lined the manger with straw and laid the baby Jesus in it.

That same night, some shepherds where watching their sheep, when a bright light came down on them and an angel appeared. The shepherds where very frightened by this sight. The angel said, "Be not afraid, for behold I bring you news of great joy, which shall be to all people; for there is born to you this day in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord." The angels told them how they could find the baby. "You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." The shepherds saw the sky filled with angels singing: "Glory to God in the Highest. And on earth peace, good will toward men." And the angels disappeared.

The shepherds left for Bethlehem straight away to see the baby. they found Joseph and Mary in the stable and the baby lying in a manger just as the angels had said. They told of how the angels had come and told them what they now see, and all was amazed.

There was also three wise men, who traveled from afar. They where men of great wisdom and learning, who had studied the stars and mysteries of the world. When they saw a new star, a magnificently bright star shining in the sky. They knew what this star meant that a new king was born. So they followed that star, which lead them to the stable where Jesus laid. On the way they came to Judea, they asked, "Where is He that is born the king of the Jews? In the east we have seen His star, and we have come to worship Him." But no one knew of this new king. King Herod the ruler of Judea under the Roman Empire, heard of their request. He was worried, as he knew he was not popular with the people of Judea. He called his priests and scribes and asked them of this. and they told him that it was predicted. They told Herod that "out of Bethlehem in the land of Judea shall come forth one who shall rule my people." Frightened he called for the three wise men, and told them to find the child so he might worship Him also. But that was not true, he really wanted to destroy the baby.

So they set out again to find the star and to follow it. When they saw the child they knew that this was the child they where looking for. They knelt before the manger and worshiped Jesus, giving him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

On that same night, God warned the Wise Men in a dream not to return to Herod with the news of the child. that they should go a different way back to their homes, and they did. Herod did not find out where Jesus was.

Jesus was born for the Salvation of all mankind. He is the Son of God and our glorious Brother. Christmas Day is celebrated today as a celebration of Christ's birth. His birthday, and as a sign of His grace we give gifts to each other. His gift to us is the forgiveness of our sins, ours to Him is our Faith, our Love and our Worship.

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