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Shortly after Mary returned from visiting her cousin,

Elisabeth, Joseph and Mary found out that they would

have to take a long journey. The Romans had declared

that every household had to be counted and taxed.

Today our government taxes us, too and has a census

every few years to count how many people there are.

In Mary and Joseph’s day, a man had to take his wife

and children and travel to the hometown of his

ancestors in order to participate in the census and pay

his taxes. Even though Mary was expecting a child, she

had to travel with Joseph on a long journey from

Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea.

Many other people were also traveling to their

hometowns because of the census and taxing. The inns were full of visitors. When

Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem after many days’ journey, they must have been

exhausted. But there were no rooms available for them to stay in overnight!

Joseph finally found a place for them to stay. It was a stable where animals were kept!

It couldn’t have been very comfortable, but Mary was about to have her baby, so

Joseph found a clean area and the couple got settled in. Not long afterwards, Mary’s

little baby was born! Read what happened in the verses below.

LUKE 2: JESUS IS BORN! 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there

went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all

the world should be taxed.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own

city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out

of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city

of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he

was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be

taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great

with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the

days were accomplished that she should be

delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn

son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and

laid him in a manger.

In a Manger, Luke 2In a Manger, Luke 2In a Manger, Luke 2In a Manger, Luke 2

Nazareth—where

Mary and Joseph lived

Bethlehem—where

Joseph’s ancestors were

from

MARY AND JOSEPH’S JOURNEY

Mary and Joseph had to travel from

their village, Nazareth (in the north) to

Bethlehem (in the south) near

Jerusalem to pay their taxes.

Discover the Life of Christ ©2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 26

Mary and Joseph sat gazing at their newborn

son. Mary knew that this was God’s son, who

had a special mission to fulfill. Isn’t it

amazing that the Son of God, the creator of

the world, was born in a stable?

Mary and Joseph weren’t the only ones to see

the baby Jesus that night. There were humble

shepherds in the fields tending their sheep. To

their surprise and delight, they had some

special visitors! Read what happened to the

shepherds in the verses below. Underline

what the angel said about how to find the

Christ child.

LUKE 2: ANGELS ON HIGH

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock

by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round

about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which

shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ

the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one

to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the

Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And

when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this

child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Angels Announce Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, Luke 2Angels Announce Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, Luke 2Angels Announce Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, Luke 2Angels Announce Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, Luke 2

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord…

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” —Luke 2:10-14

Discover the Life of Christ ©2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 27

Put in your Discover the Life of Christ CD and click on the “Resources” link. Follow

the link for the Christmas Slide Show. Watch the show of Mary and Joseph traveling

to Bethlehem and of Jesus’ miraculous birth. Write some adjectives in the box below to

describe how it makes you feel:

► What are some special traditions that your family has at Christmas time to help

you remember the importance of Christ’s birth? Write about them below.

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A Christmas StoryA Christmas StoryA Christmas StoryA Christmas Story

Discover the Life of Christ ©2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 28

1. Read the Memory Verse above several times until you are familiar with it.

2. Copy the Memory Verse on the lines below.

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3. Use these guides to memorize and recite the Memory Verse.

Practice and recite part 1: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Practice and recite part 2: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Learn the reference: —Luke 2:10-11 Recite the whole verse: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

4. Mark Luke 2:10-11 in your scriptures.

5. If you want, you can use the Memory Verse Copywork page and the Memory Verse

Illustration page for extra practice in memorizing this verse. You can find them on your

Discover the Life of Christ CD.

Memorize This!Memorize This!Memorize This!Memorize This!————Luke 2:10Luke 2:10Luke 2:10Luke 2:10----11111111

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring

you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For

unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is

Christ the Lord. —Luke 2:10-11

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►What do you think the shepherds told the people about Jesus? Imagine you were a

shepherd. What would you tell people about what you heard and saw?

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The Shepherds’ StoryThe Shepherds’ StoryThe Shepherds’ StoryThe Shepherds’ Story

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and

see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in

a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying

which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered

at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” —Luke 2: 15-18