And
there went out a decree that all the world should be taxed.
Joseph
went up with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
There
was no room for them in the inn.
And
she brought forth her firstborn son . . . and laid him in a manger. . .
There
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field. . .
And,
lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them . . .
And
the angel said, Fear not: I bring you good tidings of great joy.
For
unto you is born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And
the shepherds said, Let us go now even unto Bethlehem.
And
they found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And
the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.
Behold,
there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
We
have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When
Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled.
He
demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And
they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea.
And
he said, Go and search diligently for the young child. . .
When
they heard the king, they departed.
The
star came nd stood over where the young child was.
They
saw the young child, and fell down, and worshipped him.
They
presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[Conclusion
on Day 24:]
Shepherds
in the fields nearby
And
wise men from afar
Came
to where the Christ child was
By
following a star.
In
Bethlehem on hay and straw
The
baby Jesus lay,
And
that was the beginning
Of
our joyous Christmas Day/
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
HAPPY
NEW YEAR
[The story above, based on biblical accounts of events surrounding the birth of the Christ child, was taken from an advent calendar published by Hallmark in 1968. The story lies day by day behind numbered doors which also correspond to the symbols of the story.]
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