The Nativity Story

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The Nativity Story
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Around 2,000 years ago, there lived a lady
called Mary in the town of Nazareth. She was
engaged to be married to Joseph, who was a
carpenter.
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One day an angel appeared in front of Mary. The
angel told Mary that she had been chosen to have
a special baby. The baby would be Gods son, and
she must call him Jesus.
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After they were married, Mary and Joseph had
to travel to Bethlehem, to pay a special tax.
Mary was due to have her baby, and she rode on a
donkey.
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After a long journey, Mary and Joseph arrived
in Bethlehem. It was very busy, as lots of other
people had come to also pay their taxes. Every
inn they went to had no rooms for them to stay
in.
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Mary was very tired, and knew her baby was to
be born soon. At last, they found a kind
innkeeper who had no rooms, but a stable where
his animals lived. He said that they could stay
there.
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That night, Mary gave birth to a son. She
wrapped Him in cloths, and because there was no
cot, she laid Him in a manger, filled with hay.
She called her baby Jesus.
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At the same time, some shepherds were looking
after their sheep on a hillside overlooking
Bethlehem. They saw a bright light in the sky,
and it scared them. The bright light was an
angel, who told them not to be afraid, because he
brought good news. The Son of God had been born,
in Bethlehem.
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The shepherds immediately went to find the baby.
When they arrived at the stable, they were so
happy to see Jesus lying in the manger. They told
Mary and Joseph about the angel, and about how
this special baby would be the Saviour of the
world.
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A long way away, in the East, some wise men saw
a star shining in the sky. They followed the
star, as they knew that it meant a great ruler
had been born.
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The star led the three wise men to the stable
in Bethlehem. They brought gifts of myrrh,
frankincense and gold. They knelt down and
worshipped Jesus.
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At Christmas time, Christians celebrate how Jesus
was born, over 2,000 years ago.