The First Christmas

Long, long ago, on a beautiful starry night, something wonderful was about to happen.

In a little town called Nazareth, there lived a kind woman named Mary and her husband Joseph.

Mary was going to have a very special baby. An angel had told her this baby was God's own Son!

Mary and Joseph had to travel far away to a town called Bethlehem. It was a very long trip!

They walked over hills and through valleys. Joseph took good care of Mary.

Poor Mary was very tired. The baby would be coming soon!

'Look, Mary!' said Joseph. 'We're almost there! I can see Bethlehem!'

By the time they arrived, it was nighttime. Stars twinkled above the little town.

Joseph knocked on the door of an inn. 'Do you have a room?' he asked. 'We need a place to stay.'

'I'm sorry,' said the innkeeper. 'There's no room. The whole town is full!'

'Please,' begged Joseph. 'My wife is going to have a baby. We need somewhere to rest.'

The innkeeper thought for a moment. 'Wait! I have a stable out back. It's warm and dry.'

Joseph led Mary to the humble little stable. Above it, a bright star shone in the sky.

Inside, there was soft hay and friendly animals. It wasn't fancy, but it was cozy.

And there, in that simple stable, on that holy night, baby Jesus was born!

This tiny baby was God's own Son, come to earth to show everyone how much God loves them.

Mary wrapped Jesus in soft cloths and laid him in the manger, a bed of warm hay.

Even the animals seemed to know something special was happening. They watched quietly.

Mary looked at her beautiful baby and smiled. This was the happiest night of her life.

Not far away, some shepherds were watching their sheep on a quiet hillside.

'It's such a peaceful night,' said the old shepherd. The young boy nodded sleepily.

Suddenly, a brilliant light filled the sky! The shepherds jumped up in surprise!

An angel appeared in the sky! The shepherds were so scared they fell to the ground!

'Don't be afraid!' said the angel with a kind smile. 'I bring you wonderful news!'

'Today, a Savior has been born in Bethlehem! He is lying in a manger!'

Then the whole sky filled with angels, singing the most beautiful song! 'Glory to God!'

When the angels flew back to heaven, the shepherds looked at each other. 'Let's go find the baby!'

The shepherds ran as fast as they could toward Bethlehem!

They followed the bright star until they found the little stable!

Inside, they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger, just as the angel had said!

The shepherds knelt down before the tiny baby. They knew he was very special.

The young shepherd gently placed his little lamb near the manger. 'For you, baby Jesus.'

The shepherds left the stable so happy! They told everyone they met about the special baby!

Mary kept all these wonderful things in her heart. She treasured this special night.

For on that first Christmas, God gave the world the greatest gift of all — His Son, Jesus.

And that is why we celebrate Christmas — to remember the night God's love came down to us. The End.