The time was nearly due for Jesus to be born, and Mary longed to see Elizabeth, and she and Joseph turned their faces toward the Judean hills.
2 And when upon their way they came to Bethlehem the day was done, and they must tarry for the night.
3 But Bethlehem was thronged with people going to Jerusalem; the inns and homes were filled with guests, and Joseph and his wife could find no place to rest but in a cave where animals were kept; and there they slept.
4 At midnight came a cry, A child is born in yonder cave among the beasts. And lo, the promised son of man was born.
5 And strangers took the little one and wrapped him in the dainty robes that Mary had prepared and laid him in a trough from which the beasts of burden fed.
6 Three persons clad in snow-white robes came in and stood before the child and said,
7 All strength, all wisdom and all love be yours, Immanuel.
8 Now, on the hills of Bethlehem were many flocks of sheep with shepherds guarding them.
9 The shepherds were devout, were men of prayer, and they were waiting for a strong deliverer to come.
10 And when the child of promise came a man in snow-white robe appeared to them, and they fell back in fear. The man stood forth and said,