Luke 2 for Kids

The Roman emperor decided he wanted to count every person in his huge empire. So he sent out the rule: Everybody go back to your hometown to be counted.

That's why a man named Joseph and a young woman named Mary set out for a tiny town called Bethlehem. They walked, mostly. Mary was very, very pregnant. Her baby was coming any day.

When they finally got to Bethlehem, every house was full. Every guest room was packed. There was nowhere to sleep. The only spot they could find was a little stable where the animals slept.

And right there — on a pile of straw, in the dark, surrounded by sheep and donkeys — the baby was born. Mary wrapped Him up tight and laid Him in a manger. (A manger is a feeding box. Where the animals eat.)

Out in the fields nearby, some shepherds were watching their flocks. It was the middle of the night, very dark. Suddenly — BLAZING LIGHT. An angel was standing right in front of them, and the glory of God was shining all around.

The shepherds were terrified. But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I've got good news. A Savior has just been born for you in Bethlehem — Christ the Lord. You'll find Him as a tiny baby, wrapped up tight, lying in a manger.”

Then the whole sky filled up with angels singing. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.

The shepherds ran into Bethlehem as fast as they could go. And they found Mary and Joseph and the baby, just like the angel said. Then they ran back out and told everyone they met — The Savior is here. He looks like a baby. But it's really Him.