Mary and the Baby in the Manger
In Bethlehem, Mary brings baby Jesus into the world and lays him in a manger. Shepherds come running with good news.
A Special Announcement
Mary was a kind-hearted young woman. One day she received special news: she was going to have a baby, and this baby would be someone very special. In those days, Mary and her husband Joseph had to make a long journey. They needed to go to a small town called Bethlehem. The road was long and Mary was very tired, but her heart was full of hope. Along the way she looked at the stars, thought about the baby who would be born, and smiled quietly. Joseph never left her side; he was always gentle with her and stopped so she could rest when she was tired. Both of them knew that this baby was very special, and they waited for him eagerly. In those days the roads were dusty and the nights were cool; but love makes even the hardest journeys bearable.
No Room in Bethlehem
The road was long and tiring. By the time they reached Bethlehem, it had grown dark, and the town was very crowded. Mary and Joseph looked for a place to stay, but all the inns were full. They went from door to door; no one had any room. At last a kind person showed them a warm place where the animals were sheltered. “You can stay here,” he said. Mary and Joseph settled gratefully into this simple place.
The Baby in the Manger
That night Mary's baby was born. Mary wrapped him snugly in soft cloths. There was no cradle to lay him in, so she gently placed the baby in a manger — the little trough where the animals ate — filled with clean straw. They named the baby Jesus. The inside of the stable was filled with peace and love.
The Shepherds' Joy
That night, in the fields near the town, shepherds were watching over their sheep. Suddenly the sky shone with light, and they were given wonderful good news: “Today a savior has been born to you! You will find him in a manger, wrapped in cloths.” The shepherds jumped up with joy and ran to the town. They found the baby just as they had been told, and when they saw him, their hearts were filled with joy.
Mary kept all these things in her heart and smiled with gratitude. In a small town, in a simple stable, a great love had come into the world.
Mary's story reminds us of this: the most beautiful things do not always happen in big, grand places. Sometimes, in a small, simple place, a great love is quietly born. This story is the very good news of love that is celebrated every year at Christmas.
Talk about the story
The shepherds ran with joy to see the baby. What good news would make you the happiest?