TheTheChristmaChristma

s Storys StoryBy Emily BaileyBy Emily Bailey

Many moons ago, about 2000 years ago in Judea (now Many moons ago, about 2000 years ago in Judea (now called Israel) something amazing happened there was a called Israel) something amazing happened there was a woman named Mary. One day Mary had a special visitor, it woman named Mary. One day Mary had a special visitor, it was the angel Gabriel.was the angel Gabriel.

The angel brought good news,The angel brought good news,

“ “God has sent me with a very special message. You are God has sent me with a very special message. You are going to give birth to a special baby. He will be called going to give birth to a special baby. He will be called ‘Jesus’ (meaning saviour) and he will be the son of God ‘Jesus’ (meaning saviour) and he will be the son of God meaning his kingdom will never end.”meaning his kingdom will never end.”

Mary was surprised and confused she was still young how Mary was surprised and confused she was still young how could she have a baby?could she have a baby?

The angel answered Mary by saying, you will have a baby The angel answered Mary by saying, you will have a baby by God’s holy spirit, so your baby will be holy and gifted. by God’s holy spirit, so your baby will be holy and gifted. Mary wasn’t sure she had understood everything but she Mary wasn’t sure she had understood everything but she trusted God so she told Gabriel to tell God that this would trusted God so she told Gabriel to tell God that this would happen.happen.

Mary was engaged to Joseph. When he had found out about Mary was engaged to Joseph. When he had found out about the whole situation, he was very worried and upset. He had the whole situation, he was very worried and upset. He had thought Mary loved another man. But he still loved her but thought Mary loved another man. But he still loved her but he had to break away from her.he had to break away from her.

One night when Joseph was sleeping an angel appeared in One night when Joseph was sleeping an angel appeared in his dream.his dream.

She said “Joseph don't worry about marrying Mary. Her She said “Joseph don't worry about marrying Mary. Her child is holy and will be God's Son! You are to call him child is holy and will be God's Son! You are to call him Jesus and he will save people from their sins!”Jesus and he will save people from their sins!” Joseph Joseph woke up much happier knowing that God and Mary could woke up much happier knowing that God and Mary could be trusted. He went to find Mary and married her.be trusted. He went to find Mary and married her.

At that time the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the At that time the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire. The Emperor wanted to make sure everyone paid Roman Empire. The Emperor wanted to make sure everyone paid their taxes, so he held a census to count everyone! People had to go their taxes, so he held a census to count everyone! People had to go to the town their families came from. Mary and Joseph had to travel to the town their families came from. Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem.from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay. So many people had come for the census, that every house to stay. So many people had come for the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken! The only place left to stay was in was full and every bed was taken! The only place left to stay was in the barn where the animals stayed.the barn where the animals stayed.

Jesus was born and then kept to sleep in a manger which is where Jesus was born and then kept to sleep in a manger which is where the animals ate from. Out in the fields around Bethlehem, some the animals ate from. Out in the fields around Bethlehem, some shepherds were looking after their sheep. Suddenly an angel shepherds were looking after their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared in front of them. She explained about Jesus. Then she appeared in front of them. She explained about Jesus. Then she disappeared and the shepherds went in search of Jesus.disappeared and the shepherds went in search of Jesus.

At the same time as Jesus was born, some very clever men living in Arabia saw a new star in the sky. The star meant that there was a new born king in Judea. The three men immediately set off with presents for the new king.

First the wise men went to Jerusalem going to see the king, First the wise men went to Jerusalem going to see the king, when King Herod heard there was a new baby king - he when King Herod heard there was a new baby king - he was NOT happy! So he tried to trick the Wise Men into was NOT happy! So he tried to trick the Wise Men into finding Jesus for him.finding Jesus for him.

He told the wise men to go and find him, then he could visit He told the wise men to go and find him, then he could visit him as well! But actually in his mind he was thinking when him as well! But actually in his mind he was thinking when they tell me where the baby is - I'll send my soldiers to kill they tell me where the baby is - I'll send my soldiers to kill him!!! The Wise Men found Mary, Joseph and Jesus living in him!!! The Wise Men found Mary, Joseph and Jesus living in Bethlehem. They were really happy to see the new baby Bethlehem. They were really happy to see the new baby king! God warned the Wise Men, in a dream, that King Herod king! God warned the Wise Men, in a dream, that King Herod really wanted to kill the new baby Jesus. So they went back really wanted to kill the new baby Jesus. So they went back home a different way.home a different way.

When the Wise Men had gone, an angel warned Joseph! When the Wise Men had gone, an angel warned Joseph! “King Herod wants to kill Jesus! Get up and take Jesus and “King Herod wants to kill Jesus! Get up and take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you it's safe to come Mary to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you it's safe to come back.” So they escaped to Egypt and they lived there for a back.” So they escaped to Egypt and they lived there for a couple of years until King Herod had died. When it was safe couple of years until King Herod had died. When it was safe to go back, an angel told Joseph. Then the family went to go back, an angel told Joseph. Then the family went back to live in Nazareth where Mary & Joseph came from.back to live in Nazareth where Mary & Joseph came from.

The The EndEnd