About two thousand years ago in Galilee, in a town called Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary. She was about to be married. During those days, it was customary for girls to be promised to be given away as young brides as soon as they reached puberty, about twelve years old. This custom was called betrothal, or engagement. The girl's parents had a lot to do with these decisions, not like today where the man and woman decide if they want to get married. A betrothal indeed is not a practice in our culture today, but that was not the only unusual thing about Mary's engagement. She also had a strange visitor just before she was married. This visitor gave her news that was not only surprising, but it turned out to be Good News for all ages to come. (Read about this visit in Luke 1:26-38)
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Joseph's Dream
Before Jesus was born, there was a righteous man who was a descendent of King David. His name was Joseph. He was engaged to Mary, a young woman who was also a virgin. In those ancient times when someone was engaged, it was almost like they were married, except they did not live in the same house. The engagement was a serious commitment compared to today's practices. In fact, the only way to break if off was to get a divorce. Joseph loved Mary very much, but when he found out she was already pregnant, he was very disappointed. But being a reasonable and decent person, he decided not to get mad, or let anyone know what was going on. If he told anyone, Mary would be in real big trouble. So instead, Joseph quietly planned a divorce. (Let's read what happened: Matthew 1:18-25)
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Journey to Bethlehem
The virgin birth of Jesus is one of the best known stories in the Bible. With the birth of Jesus, God became man to walk among us and to be our Savior. Prophesies about the birth of Jesus go all the way back to Genesis. Also, according to prophesy, Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, a small town of the city of David (Micah 5:2). But Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, a city over fifty miles away from Bethlehem. And the baby could be born any minute. Then, Caesar Augustus made a ruling. Everyone twelve years or older must go to their city of origin to register and pay taxes. It was called a census. Caesar needed to know how many people lived in the entire Roman Empire, so he would know how much taxes he could collect. Although baby Jesus might be born any moment, Joseph and Mary wanted to obey the law. They were both descendents of David, so they decided to walk to Bethlehem, a three-day journey. (Read about Jesus's birth: Luke 2:1-20)
At the time of Jesus's birth, on a hillside overlooking Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching over their sheep. A bright light appeared in the sky. They were very afraid. It was an angel sent by God. 
The angel told them not to be afraid, because he had some good news. He said the Son of God had been born and they would find Him in Bethlehem.
The shepherds wanted to go and see the baby. When they arrived at the stable, they were filled with joy at seeing Jesus lying in the manger. They knelt down and worshipped Him. They told Mary and Joseph how the angel had appeared in the sky and told them that Jesus was to be the Saviour of the world.
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Visit of the Wise Men
Sometime after Jesus was born, three wise men, far away in the east, saw a new star shining high in the sky. These men studied the stars and they knew this was a very special star that meant a great King had been born. The three wise men decided to find this new ruler to worship Him and take Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.. They went to Jerusalem to see the child that would be King of the Jews. (Read Matthew 2 to see what happens during their visit...)
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