Long ago, in the little town of Nazareth, there lived a gentle young woman named Mary. Mary loved God with all her heart. One day, the angel Gabriel came to her with wonderful news: God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son, the Saviour of the whole world. "Let it be to me as you have said," Mary answered. And she was filled with joy.
Now in those days, the ruler ordered everyone to travel to the town of their family. So Mary and her husband Joseph set out on a long journey to the little town of Bethlehem. Mary was soon to have her baby, and the road was long and tiring. She rode on a gentle donkey, and Joseph walked beside her, watching over her the whole way.
When at last they reached Bethlehem, the town was full of people. They knocked on door after door, looking for a place to rest. But every inn was full. "There is no room," each person said. "No room."
At last, a kind innkeeper showed them a humble little stable, where the animals were kept. It was not a palace. There was just hay, and gentle animals, and the soft sound of breathing in the dark. But Mary and Joseph were thankful for a place to rest.
And there, that holy night, the baby was born. Mary wrapped Him snugly in soft cloths and laid Him in a manger — the box where the animals ate their hay. She gazed at His tiny face and loved Him more than words can say. The little baby was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, come down from heaven to save us all.
Out on the hills nearby, some shepherds were watching their sheep in the dark. Suddenly the sky blazed with light, and an angel appeared! The shepherds were afraid, but the angel said, "Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy. Today a Saviour is born for you. You will find Him wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger."
Then the whole sky filled with angels, singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace!" The shepherds hurried to the stable, and there they found the baby, just as the angel had said. They knelt down and worshipped Him, full of wonder.
Far away in the East, wise men had seen a bright new star shining in the sky. They knew it meant a great King had been born, so they followed it for many days, all the way to the baby Jesus. They knelt before Him and gave Him precious gifts: gold, and sweet-smelling frankincense, and myrrh.
And so the King of all the world was born — not in a grand palace, but in a humble stable, laid in a manger, with animals and shepherds and shining stars all around.
That is why, every year at Christmas, we sing and rejoice. Because on that holy night, God's own Son was born for us, out of His great love. And the whole world has never been the same since.
The birth of Christ is told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We celebrate it every year at the feast of the Nativity, on Christmas. "For unto you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."