CHRISTMAS OPENING PRAYER BETHLEHEM The Church of the

CHRISTMAS

OPENING PRAYER

BETHLEHEM

The Church of the Nativity

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

HOW WAS JESUS BORN?

This is the story of the first Christmas- the night Jesus, our Savior was born. We celebrate this night remembering the hope and joy that this tiny baby brought to the world on that extraordinary night in Bethlehem over 2, 000 years ago.

◦ Let us journey to a little town in Nazareth where there lived a young girl named Mary. An angel named Gabriel was sent from heaven to ask Mary if she would be the Mother of God’s Son.

Hail Mary full of grace, ◦ the Lord is with you.

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His Name.

Now it came to pass in those days that there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that a census should be taken and all were going to his town to register. And Joseph also went to Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David which was Bethlehem because he was of the house and family of David, to register with Mary, his wife who was with child.

Bethlehem was very crowded. There were many visitors. Joseph went to the Inn seeking shelter for he and His wife, Mary. For it was a cold winter’s night.

The stable was for animals: donkeys, cows, and sheep. But Mary and Joseph were grateful for the shelter they could get from the cold that night in the little town of Bethlehem. Joseph prepared a place for the child, and on that special night Mary brought forth her Son, Jesus. She wrapped him in Swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

That same night there were shepherds watching their flocks on the hillside. An angel appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid for I bring you tidings of great joy. This very day in the town of Bethlehem your Savior has been born, Christ the Lord” You will find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager. Suddenly a great choir of angels appeared in the heavens singing “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to people of goodwill”

The three kings set out to find the newborn King. Their journey was long but at last the star stopped over a stable in Bethlehem. When they saw the baby Jesus they fell on their knees in humble worship. They placed at the feet of the child the treasures they brought with them.