and has set them free.
69 He has provided for us a mighty Saviour,
a descendant of his servant David.
70 He promised through his holy prophets long ago
71 that he would save us from our enemies,
from the power of all those who hate us.
72 He said he would show mercy to our ancestors
and remember his sacred covenant.
73-74 With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham
he promised to rescue us from our enemies
and allow us to serve him without fear,
75 so that we might be holy and righteous before him
all the days of our life.
76 "You, my child, will be called
a prophet of the Most High God.
You will go ahead of the Lord
to prepare his road for him,
77 to tell his people that they will be saved
by having their sins forgiven.
78 Our God is merciful and tender.
He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us
79 and to shine from heaven on all
those who live in the dark shadow of death,
to guide our steps into the path of peace."
80 The child grew and developed in body and spirit. He lived in the desert until the day when he appeared publicly to the people of Israel.

Chapter - 2 The time of Jesus' Birth

At that time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 When the first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. 3 Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own town.

4. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judaea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. 5 He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, 6 and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger - there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels