The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord ^(A)appeared to them, and ^(B)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all ^(C)the people. ¹¹ For ^(D)unto you is born this day in ^(E)the city of David ^(F)a Savior, who is ^(G)Christ ^(H)the Lord. ¹² And ^(I)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby ^(J)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel ^(K)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby ^(Q)lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But ^(R)Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, ^(S)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Behold, the Lamb of God

²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, ^(A)the Lamb of God, who ^(B)takes away the sin ^(C)of the world!

²⁰ For ^(A)by works of the law no human being^[a] will be justified in his sight, since ^(B)through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

²¹ But now ^(C)the righteousness of God ^(D)has been manifested apart from the law, although ^(E)the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²² the righteousness of God ^(F)through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ^(G)For there is no distinction:

^4 (A)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[a] be known to everyone. ^(B)The Lord is at hand; ^6 (C)do not be anxious about anything, ^(D)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(E)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(F)the peace of God, ^(G)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ For ^(A)he himself is our peace, ^(B)who has made us both one and has broken down ^(C)in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Benediction

¹⁶ Now may ^(A)the Lord of peace himself ^(B)give you peace at all times in every way. ^(C)The Lord be with you all.

^28 (A)Come to ^(B)me, all who labor and are ^(C)heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and ^(D)learn from me, for I am ^(E)gentle and lowly in heart, and ^(F)you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For ^(G)my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”