“Now it happened in those days that an edict appeared from Caesar Augustus, ordering the census of all the inhabited world. This census, the first, took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all were going to be registered, each in his own town. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, in Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, - because he was of the house and the line of David - to be enumerated with Mary , his fiancee, who was pregnant. Now it happened, as they were there, that the days were fulfilled when she was to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the room. There were shepherds in the same region who lived in the fields and looked after their flocks during the night watches. The Angel of the Lord stood near them and the glory of the Lord enveloped them in its light; and they were seized with great fear. But the angel said to them: "Do not be afraid, for, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which shall be the joy of all the people: today a Savior is born to you, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. . And this will serve as a sign to you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. " And suddenly a large troop of the heavenly host joined the angel, who praised God, saying: "Glory be to God in the highest heavens and on earth peace to men, objects of his indulgence!" "