The True Christmas Story

When I was a little girl, we were enrolled into a private Christian school close to our house. I was about five or six years old when I was in my first Christmas play at school, and me and a classmate named Shannon were chosen to recite the Bible's Christmas story dressed as shepherds while the rest of our classmates reenacted each scene on stage around us. We had the bright star of Bethlehem hanging high above our heads and there were angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph and the sweet baby Jesus. Shannon and I spent weeks memorizing Luke 2 verses 1-20 and the night of the play, he and I took turns reciting verse after verse. To this day, I can almost recite it verse-for-verse:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caeser Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men!"

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us."

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.