It came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. And all went to enroll themselves, every one in his own city. And Joseph also went from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, to enroll himself with Mary, his betrothed wife. While they were there, the time was fulfilled, and Mary brought forth a son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds in the same country, abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And lo, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them: Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy: For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.
And the shepherds came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this Child. And all that heard it wondered; but Mary kept these words in her heart. When eight days were fulfilled for circumcising the Child, His name was called Jesus according to the word of the angel.
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. And there was in Jerusalem a pious man whose name was Simeon. He had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came that day in the Spirit into the temple. And when he saw the Child, he took It up in his arms and said: Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples. (Luke 2:1-31.)
[54. The Wise-Men from the East]
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king, Wise-men came from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the East, and are come to worship Him. And Herod called together the chief priests and the scribes and inquired of them where Christ should be born. They answered: In Bethlehem, according to the prophecy of Micah. Then Herod called the Wise-men secretly and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared, and said to them: Go to Bethlehem and search out carefully concerning the Child, and when ye have found It, bring me word, that I may come also and worship It.
The Wise-men went their way, and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over the house where the Child was. And when they saw the star they rejoiced greatly and came into the house and found the Child and Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him, and they offered unto Him their treasures, gold, frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
When they were departed an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream and said: Arise, take the Child and His mother and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee; for Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him. Then Joseph took the Child and His mother by night and went into Egypt.
When Herod saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men he was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the male children in Bethlehem from two years old and under.—When Herod was dead an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, take the Child and His mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead that sought the Child’s life. And he went into Galilee and dwelt in Nazareth. And the Child grew and waxed strong in spirit, becoming full of wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (Matt. 2; Luke 2:39-40.)