The Birth of Jesus ^(A)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus sent out word that the name of every person in the Roman nation must be written in the books of the nation. ² This first writing took place while Quirinius was ruler of Syria.

³ So all the people went to their own cities to have their names written in the books of the nation. ⁴ Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee to the town of Bethlehem. It was known as the city of David. He went there because he was from the family of David. ⁵ Joseph went to have his and Mary’s names written in the books of the nation. Mary was his promised wife and soon to become a mother.

⁶ While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. ⁷ Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night.