Birth of Jesus Christ

In the sixth month, God sent angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin, the virgin's name was Mary. The angel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with a child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born and will be called the Son of God. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said?" Then the angel left her. Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, He went there to register with Mary, while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. Jesus, she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Amen