73 The oath which he swore to Abraham our father to give us,

74 Fearlessly, after being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

75 to serve him in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our lives.

76 And thou, little child, shalt be called a prophet of the Most High, for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,

77 to make his people understand his salvation in the forgiveness of their sins,

78 according to the gracious mercy of our God, by which the East hath visited us from on high,

79 To enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to set our feet in the way of peace.

80 And the child grew and grew strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness, until the day of his appearance to Israel.

Chapter 2

1 In those days there went forth from Caesar Augustus a command to take a census of all the land.

2 This census was the first in the reign of Quirinius in Syria.

3 And they all went to be registered, every man in his own city.

4 And Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5 To be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth;

7 And she bore 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.

8 In that country there were shepherds in the field, keeping a night watch over their flock.

9 And suddenly an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone upon them; and they were afraid with great fear.

10 And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people:

11 For this day is born unto you in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;

12 And this is a sign unto you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.