They said to her, “But none of your relatives bears this name.”

So they made signs to the baby’s father, inquiring what he wanted to name his son.

Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue released, and he spoke, blessing God.

All their neighbors were filled with fear, and throughout the entire hill country of Judea all these things were talked about.

All who heard these things kept them in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the Lord’s hand was indeed with him.

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us.

He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant—

that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, may serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high

And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he was revealed to Israel.

The Census and the Birth of Jesus

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.

Everyone went to his own town to be registered.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.

He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:

Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.”

So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.