Joseph the carpenter was worried. Mary, the girl he loved, was expecting a baby. It wasn't his baby; and they weren't married. The gossip had started already. He would have to break off the engagement. But that night he had a dream. And in the dream God's messenger-angel spoke to him: 'Don't break off your engagement to Mary,' the angel said. 'She has done nothing wrong. God has chosen her to be the mother of his Son--the promised King. You are to call the baby Jesus (the Saviour), because he is going to save his people from their sins.' When Joseph woke up, it was as if a great weight had been lifted from his mind. It didn't matter what anyone said! He would marry Mary and take care of her and the baby.

Not long after this the Roman Emperor, Augustus, issued an order. Everyone in the Roman Empire must register at the town his family came from. Augustus wanted to make sure he had everyone on his list, and that they paid their taxes! Joseph's family was descended from King David. So he had to go to Bethlehem, where King David was borm. He had to take Mary on the long journey south through the hills-eighty miles of rough dirt roads. The donkey carried their food, warm cloaks for the chilly nights, and clothes for the baby who was due to be born any day.

Mary was very tired when they arrived at last. And there was nowhere for them to stay. The inn was already crowded with travellers. The inn-keeper felt sorry for Mary--but the only space he had left was the stable. It was dirty and smelly in there with the animals. But at least Mary could rest--and there was no where else.

That night Mary's baby son was born. She wrapped him up warmly in the clothes she had made, and put him in a manger to sleep.

On the hills around the town, shepherds kept watch, looking after their flocks. The night was dark and everything was quiet--just a little bleat now and then from one of the Sheep.

Then suddenly there was a blaze of light--so bright, the men had to shield their eyes. And out of the brightness came the voice of God's messenger-angel. 'Don't be afraid. I've come with good news-for you and all the world. The Saviour has come--God's promised King--born today in Bethlehem. You will find the baby asleep in a manger.' Then the shepherds saw a great crowd of angels, all singing praises to God. Glory to God in heaven,' they sang, 'and peace to all who love him on earth.'

When the angels had gone and the sky was dark again, the shepherds began to talk among themselves. We must go to Bethlehem,' they said, 'and see what has happened.'

They made sure the sheep were safe. Then they hurried into town. They found Mary and Joseph in the stable at the inn - and a new-born baby lying in a manger. Then they knew what the angels had told them was true.

They told Mary and Joseph all that had happened. Then they went back to the sheep, telling everyone they met on the way about the baby and the angelÍs message. They sang as they walked along, thanking God for all they had seen. It was a night they would never forget.

When Mary's baby was eight days old, he was given his name--Jesus. Soon it was time for Joseph and Mary to do as the Jewish law said, and dedicate their first son to God. So they took the baby to God's Temple at Jerusalem.

There was a good old man called Simeon living in the city. God had promised him that before he died he would see the King. Simeon was there when Mary and Joseph came to the Temple with Jesus. He took the baby in his arms and thanked God for him. 'God has kept his promise,' Simeon said. Wow I shall die content. For I have seen the Saviour.' Anna, too, saw the baby and gave thanks to God. She was an old lady of eighty-four who spent all her time in the Temple, saying prayers to God and thanking him. Anna told everyone in the city that the King they were waiting for had come. Mary and Joseph were amazed at all that had happened.They went back to Bethlehem. And not long after, there was another surprise.

Strangers from the east--men who studied the stars-- arrived in Jerusalem. 'Tell us where we can find the baby who is born to be King of the Jews,' they said. 'We have seen his star and come to pay him homage.' Soon the whole town was talking about the wise men and their strange question. What could it mean! The Romans had made a man called Herod king of the Jews. He was most alarmed when he heard the news. Herod did not want a rival king in his land. He sent for the priests and teachers of God's law.

'When the Saviour comes, where will he be born?Í Herod asked. 'In Bethlehem,' they answered. 'That is what God's prophets say.' Then King Herod had a secret meeting with the strangers, to find out when they first saw the star. 'Go and look for the child in Bethlehem,' he said. 'And when you find him, let me know, so that I can come and pay him homage too.'

So the strangers came to Bethlehem, still following the star. They found the baby in one of the houses, with Mary his mother. Then they opened their bags and brought out presents-strange,rich presents to give to a baby!--gold, sweet-smelling frankincense and a spicy ointment called myrrh.

God warned them in a dream not to go back to King Herod. So they went home by another road. After they had gone, an angel came to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up quickly', he said. 'You must take Mary and the baby into Egypt. Go at once. It is not safe for you here. King Herod will be looking for Jesus. He wants to kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you it is safe to leave.'

Joseph lost no time. He woke Mary, and they quickly packed a few clothes, the things they needed for the baby, and Joseph's tools. It was still dark when they set off down the dusty road south through the desert to Egypt, where another Joseph had saved the lives of his family long, long before.

Herod was furious when he realized how the wise men had tricked him. He was a cruel man who had many enemies. And he was always afraid that someone would murder him and seize the throne. Heintended to make quite sure this baby king did not grow up. So he sent his soldiers to Bethlehem. They had orders to kill every boy under two years old. King Herod was taking no chances. No one in Bethlehem could ever forget that terrible day-and the people hated Herod more than ever.

Not very long after this, King Herod died. The angel came to Joseph again, in a dream, and told him it was safe to go home. So Joseph and Mary and Jesus went home to Nazareth.

Mary never forgot Simeon and Anna, the shepherds and the wise men. She often thought about the wonderful things that happened when Jesus was born. As the years passed, Jesus grew up. He was strong, and quick to learn. God loved him and so did everyone who knew him.