1
Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
2
This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria.
3
Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
4
So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y'hudah,
5
to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant.
6
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth;
7
and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8
In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks,
9
when an angel of ADONAI appeared to them, and the Sh'khinah of ADONAI shone around them. They were terrified;
10
but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people.
11
This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord.