A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world.  This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.   Everyone went to register,

each to the town of their birth.  And so Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s town of Bethlehem in Judea, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David; he

went to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her delivery.  She gave birth to her first-born and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.  There were shepherds in the area living in the fields and keeping night watch by turns over their flock.  The angel of God appeared to them, and the glory of God shone around them; they were very much afraid. The angel said to them, “You have nothing to fear!  I come to proclaim good news to you – tidings of great joy to be shared by the whole people.  This day in David’s city, a

savior – the Messiah – has been born to you. Let this be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in high heaven!  And on earth, peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”

The Good News as spoken through Luke.