1st Scripture Reading – Luke 2:1-7
The Birth of Jesus
1
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to
their own towns to be registered. 4
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to
Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and
family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was
expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place in the guest room.
2nd Scripture Reading – Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been
engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy
Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public
disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.
20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take
Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22All this took place
to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.”
24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the
Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife
25 but had no marital relations with her until she
had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.