that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world should be taxed.
And this taxing was first made
when Cyre'ni-us was governor of Syria.
And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city.
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 great 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;
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
came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them;
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
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 Saviour,
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.
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 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.
And all they 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.
And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all the things
that they had heard and seen,
as it was told unto them.
St. Luke 2,1-20
to remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love
all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil
by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be Thy children,
and the Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
For Jesus' sake.
Amen!
( Robert Louis Stevenson )
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