An angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the son of God. Though confused, Mary agreed. When Joseph learned of the pregnancy, an angel assured him in a dream that the child was holy. As the Roman Emperor ordered a census, the pregnant Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, finding shelter in a barn where Jesus was born. Shepherds and wise men were divinely led to the newborn king to worship him before being warned in dreams to avoid danger from King Herod, who sought to kill Jesus. Joseph fled with Mary and Jesus to Egypt, later returning to Nazareth to raise Jesus after Herod died.

1. TheThe
ChristmaChristma
s Storys Story
By Emily BaileyBy Emily Bailey

2. Many moons ago, about 2000 years ago in Judea (nowMany moons ago, about 2000 years ago in Judea (now
called Israel) something amazing happened there was acalled Israel) something amazing happened there was a
woman named Mary. One day Mary had a special visitor, itwoman named Mary. One day Mary had a special visitor, it
was the angel Gabriel.was the angel Gabriel.

3. The angel brought good news,The angel brought good news,
““God has sent me with a very special message. You areGod has sent me with a very special message. You are
going to give birth to a special baby. He will be calledgoing to give birth to a special baby. He will be called
‘Jesus’ (meaning saviour) and he will be the son of God‘Jesus’ (meaning saviour) and he will be the son of God
meaning his kingdom will never end.”meaning his kingdom will never end.”

4. Mary was surprised and confused she was still young howMary was surprised and confused she was still young how
could she have a baby?could she have a baby?
The angel answered Mary by saying, you will have a babyThe angel answered Mary by saying, you will have a baby
by God’s holy spirit, so your baby will be holy and gifted.by God’s holy spirit, so your baby will be holy and gifted.
Mary wasn’t sure she had understood everything but sheMary wasn’t sure she had understood everything but she
trusted God so she told Gabriel to tell God that this wouldtrusted God so she told Gabriel to tell God that this would
happen.happen.

5. Mary was engaged to Joseph. When he had found out aboutMary was engaged to Joseph. When he had found out about
the whole situation, he was very worried and upset. He hadthe whole situation, he was very worried and upset. He had
thought Mary loved another man. But he still loved her butthought Mary loved another man. But he still loved her but
he had to break away from her.he had to break away from her.
One night when Joseph was sleeping an angel appeared inOne night when Joseph was sleeping an angel appeared in
his dream.his dream.
She said “Joseph don't worry about marrying Mary. HerShe said “Joseph don't worry about marrying Mary. Her
child is holy and will be God's Son! You are to call himchild is holy and will be God's Son! You are to call him
Jesus and he will save people from their sins!”Jesus and he will save people from their sins!” JosephJoseph
woke up much happier knowing that God and Mary couldwoke up much happier knowing that God and Mary could
be trusted. He went to find Mary and married her.be trusted. He went to find Mary and married her.

6. At that time the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of theAt that time the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the
Roman Empire. The Emperor wanted to make sure everyone paidRoman Empire. The Emperor wanted to make sure everyone paid
their taxes, so he held a census to count everyone! People had to gotheir taxes, so he held a census to count everyone! People had to go
to the town their families came from. Mary and Joseph had to travelto the town their families came from. Mary and Joseph had to travel
from Nazareth to Bethlehem.from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

7. When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhereWhen they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere
to stay. So many people had come for the census, that every houseto stay. So many people had come for the census, that every house
was full and every bed was taken! The only place left to stay was inwas full and every bed was taken! The only place left to stay was in
the barn where the animals stayed.the barn where the animals stayed.

8. Jesus was born and then kept to sleep in a manger which is whereJesus was born and then kept to sleep in a manger which is where
the animals ate from. Out in the fields around Bethlehem, somethe animals ate from. Out in the fields around Bethlehem, some
shepherds were looking after their sheep. Suddenly an angelshepherds were looking after their sheep. Suddenly an angel
appeared in front of them. She explained about Jesus. Then sheappeared in front of them. She explained about Jesus. Then she
disappeared and the shepherds went in search of Jesus.disappeared and the shepherds went in search of Jesus.

9. At the same time as Jesus was born, some very clever men
living in Arabia saw a new star in the sky. The star meant that
there was a new born king in Judea. The three men
immediately set off with presents for the new king.

10. First the wise men went to Jerusalem going to see the king,First the wise men went to Jerusalem going to see the king,
when King Herod heard there was a new baby king - hewhen King Herod heard there was a new baby king - he
was NOT happy! So he tried to trick the Wise Men intowas NOT happy! So he tried to trick the Wise Men into
finding Jesus for him.finding Jesus for him.

11. He told the wise men to go and find him, then he could visitHe told the wise men to go and find him, then he could visit
him as well! But actually in his mind he was thinking whenhim as well! But actually in his mind he was thinking when
they tell me where the baby is - I'll send my soldiers to killthey tell me where the baby is - I'll send my soldiers to kill
him!!! The Wise Men found Mary, Joseph and Jesus living inhim!!! The Wise Men found Mary, Joseph and Jesus living in
Bethlehem. They were really happy to see the new babyBethlehem. They were really happy to see the new baby
king! God warned the Wise Men, in a dream, that King Herodking! God warned the Wise Men, in a dream, that King Herod
really wanted to kill the new baby Jesus. So they went backreally wanted to kill the new baby Jesus. So they went back
home a different way.home a different way.

12. When the Wise Men had gone, an angel warned Joseph!When the Wise Men had gone, an angel warned Joseph!
“King Herod wants to kill Jesus! Get up and take Jesus and“King Herod wants to kill Jesus! Get up and take Jesus and
Mary to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you it's safe to comeMary to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you it's safe to come
back.” So they escaped to Egypt and they lived there for aback.” So they escaped to Egypt and they lived there for a
couple of years until King Herod had died. When it was safecouple of years until King Herod had died. When it was safe
to go back, an angel told Joseph. Then the family wentto go back, an angel told Joseph. Then the family went
back to live in Nazareth where Mary & Joseph came from.back to live in Nazareth where Mary & Joseph came from.

13. TheThe
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