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The First Christmas

Luke 2:1-20

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And it came to pass in those days,

that there  went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,

that  all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing  was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 And all went to be taxed,

every one into his own city.

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And Joseph also went up from  Galilee,

out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea,  

unto the city of David, which is called  Bethlehem

(because he was of the house and  lineage of David),

to be taxed with Mary his  espoused wife,

being with child.  

And so it was, that,

while they were there,  the days were accomplished

that she should be  delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn  son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,  

and laid him in a manger;

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because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country  shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch  over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of  the Lord come upon them,

and the glory of the  Lord shone round about them:

and they were  sore afraid. 

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And the angel said unto them,

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"Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great  joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you  is born this day in the city of David a Savior,  

which is Christ the Lord .

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped  in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger."

 And suddenly

there was with the angel a  multitude of the heavenly host praising God,

 and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,

and  on earth peace,

good will toward men."

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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 to come  to pass,

which the Lord hath made known unto  us." 

And they came with haste,

and found Mary  and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 And when they had seen it,

they made known  abroad

the saying which was told them  concerning this child.

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And all that heard it  wondered at those things

which were told them  by the shepherds.  

But Mary kept all these things,

and  pondered them in her heart.

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And the shepherds  returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the  things that they had heard and seen,

as it was  told unto them.

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Last updated 2001.4.19