At that time, there was a law from Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, that the whole world must go to the city that each was born in and register so they could be taxed. What they were doing was trying to get a grip on the Israelites because the Romans were ruling them at the time. . Joseph had to go back to Bethlehem to register, because that was his birthplace and Mary was close to her time to deliver the baby. Little did the Romans know that they were fulfilling scripture by having Joseph return to his birthplace of Bethlehem ...

Now after a long journey Joseph and Mary finally arrived, but there was no room at the inn because so many others had also come from other towns to register, so they had to stay in a cave of sorts which was used as a stable for animals and Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus in a stable. She wrapped Him up in long bands of cloth called swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

There were shepherds staying in the field nearby keeping a night watch on their sheep and the Angel of the Lord appeared to them. The glory of the Lord shone all around them and it scared them. The Angel said to them, Don't be afraid, I'm bringing you good news of great joy for all people. For you today, in the city of David, a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord. And this will prove it to you. You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Suddenly, with the Angel, there appeared countless Angels praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

When the Angels left and went back into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord told us about. They hurried to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Then they spread the news to other nations all about the child that the Angel told them about. Anyone who heard it wondered but Mary believed all that Gabriel told her deep in her heart.

Now at this time there was a great new star in the Heavens and all saw it. Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, Where is the baby that has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and we've come to worship Him.

Now, here is a lil fact for ya ... In almost every book and movie you read or watch there are three wise men. However, the Bible does NOT say there were three wise men. The reason people say that there were three wise men is because they gave the baby Jesus three different types of gifts, being gold, frankincense and myrrh. There very well may have been three wise men or maybe three hundred.

So secretly, Herod asked the wise men what time the star appeared and then he sent them to Bethlehem saying, Go look for the child and when you find Him, come back and tell me so I can come and worship Him too. He was actually deceiving them and had sinister thoughts and plans in mind. The wise men left and the star that they saw in the east led them until it stopped over where the baby Jesus was. They were very happy and when they went into the stable, they saw the baby Jesus with Mary and fell down and worshipped Him. They gave Him presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Then God warned these wise men in a dream that they shouldn't go back to Herod, so they went back to their home country by a different route.

On the eighth day after the baby Jesus was born, according to the law of Moses, the holy family followed the customs of the Jews by having Jesus circumcised. They named the baby Jesus as the Angel told both Mary and Joseph before the baby was conceived.

There was a wise old man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon. He was a pious man, waiting for the promised Messiah of Israel and the Holy Ghost was with him. The Holy Ghost revealed to him that he wouldn't die until he had seen the Lord. The Spirit led him into the temple and when Mary and Joseph brought in the child Jesus, Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying, Lord, now let your servant die in peace according to your Word: For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

Joseph and Mary were amazed at the things that Simeon said, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, This child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign that will be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

There was also a prophetess named Anna from the tribe of Asher, who was very old and had been a widow for 84 years. She didn't leave the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And she came in at that very moment and gave thanks to the Lord and prayed for all who wanted salvation in Israel.

When Mary and Joseph saw Him they were amazed and Mary asked Him, Son, why have you done this to us? Joseph and I have been worried sick. And Jesus said to them, Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?