Luke 1:46-55

New International Version

Mary’s Song^(A)

⁴⁶And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord^(B)
⁴⁷    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,^(C)
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.^(D)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,^(E)
⁴⁹    for the Mighty One has done great things^(F) for me—
    holy is his name.^(G)
⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.^(H)
⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;^(I)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.^(J)
⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.^(K)
⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things^(L)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful^(M)
⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants^(N) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

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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.