NARRATOR 1: In those days Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to register, each in his own town. And so Joseph, too, went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, for he was of the house and lineage of David, to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was pregnant.
NARRATOR 2: It happened while they were there that the days of her pregnancy were completed. 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 them in the inn.
NARRATOR 3: There were shepherds in the same area, living in the fields and keeping night watch over their flock. An angel of the Lord came suddenly upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very much afraid.
ANGEL: You have nothing to fear! I bring you good news, a great joy to be shared by the whole people. For this day in David’s city a savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. Let this be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.
NARRATOR 1: Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God.
ALL: Glory to God in high heaven; on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.
Luke 2.1-20
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20