Jesus is born

Long ago, God promised a king from King David’s family. This king would rescue his people. Many years later, God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. She was going to marry Joseph.

Gabriel told Mary she would have a son called Jesus. He would be God’s Son, a king from King David’s family. His kingdom would never end. Mary asked how this could happen. Gabriel said the Holy Spirit would do it. What God says always comes true! Mary said yes to God.

An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. He said Jesus would save his people from their sins. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, King David’s town, where Jesus was born. Mary wrapped him in cloths. She laid him in a manger, a feeding box for animals.

That night, shepherds were in the fields, watching their flocks. An angel appeared, and God’s glory shone around them. They were terrified. But the angel said not to be afraid. He had good news of great joy. A Saviour, a rescuer, had been born in David’s town! Suddenly many angels appeared, praising God. The shepherds hurried and found the baby, just as the angel said.

Later, wise men came from the east to worship the new king. They had seen his star. King Herod was upset to hear this. The star went ahead of them to the house where Jesus was. They bowed down and worshipped him. They gave him gold, and sweet-smelling frankincense and myrrh. God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home another way.

God kept his promise! Jesus is the Messiah, the promised King. He is God’s Son, who became a real human baby. He is Immanuel, which means God with us. He came to rescue us from our sins.