Jesus was a dear little babe. His mother was far from home when he was born, and she had no pretty basket in which to lay him. So she placed him lovingly on the soft hay which filled the manger. And there he slept. There the angels looked down upon him from heaven and smiled. They knew he had come to bring joy to the world, and that he was the greatest King this world would ever know.

Out on the hillsides not far away, some shepherds were watching their sheep that night. Suddenly they saw a great light in the sky. In that light they saw an angel. And they were afraid. Then the angel said, "Fear not!" He told them that Jesus had been born. He said they would find him lying in a manger in Bethlehem. Many other angels joined this one, and they sang praises to God. The music filled the sky.

Presently the angels were gone and the bright light had faded. Then the shepherds said, "Let us go to see this child." They found him lying on the hay. And when they saw him they were glad. They told his mother about the angel's words, and about the heavenly music which had filled the sky. They told others, too. And then they returned to their work on the hillside, thanking God. -Luke 2:7-21.