Isaiah 9:2-7

New International Version

²The people walking in darkness^(A)
    have seen a great light;^(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness^(C)
    a light has dawned.^(D)
³You have enlarged the nation^(E)
    and increased their joy;^(F)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.^(G)
⁴For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,^(H)
    you have shattered^(I)
the yoke^(J) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,^(K)
    the rod of their oppressor.^(L)
⁵Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,^(M)
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶For to us a child is born,^(N)
    to us a son is given,^(O)
    and the government^(P) will be on his shoulders.^(Q)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,^(R) Mighty God,^(S)
    Everlasting^(T) Father,^(U) Prince of Peace.^(V)
⁷Of the greatness of his government^(W) and peace^(X)
    there will be no end.^(Y)
He will reign^(Z) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice^(AA) and righteousness^(AB)
    from that time on and forever.^(AC)
The zeal^(AD) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Read full chapter

Luke 2:1-20

New International Version

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus^(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.^(B) ²(This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)^(C) ³And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem^(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him^(E) and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel^(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.^(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior^(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,^(I) the Lord.^(J) ¹²This will be a sign^(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace^(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.^(M) ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.^(N) ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God^(O) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.