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Happy
birthday to the Lord of lords
Now
in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be
taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken
while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way
to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went
up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of
David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family
of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him,
and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed
for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son;
and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were
some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their
flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were
terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be
afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for
all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for
you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign
for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is
pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go
straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which
the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and
found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the
manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement
which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it
wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But
Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The
shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had
heard and seen, just as had been told them.
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