Long ago, before the first Christmas, there was a beautiful young woman called Mary. She lived in the little town of Nazereth. One day, when Mary was busy in her home, the room was suddenly filled with a bright light. There, in the light, stood an angel. Mary was really frightened. “Don`t be afraid, Mary,” said the angel. I have a message for you. You are going to gave a baby son” “But I have no husband,” said Mary. He will be the Son of God himself,”said the angel. There was a young man in Nazereth, called Joseph. He loved Mary. He wanted Mary to marry him. The angel visited Joseph in a dream. “I have come to tell you that Mary is going to have a baby. He is the Son of God,” said the angel. You must call the baby, Jeses. He has come to save the whole world.” Then the angel went away. Mary and Joseph made their plans to get married. They loved each other very much. They often talked about the angel`s message and about the special baby. There were a lot of things to get ready for the baby. One day they heard that the Emperor who ruled their country had made a new law. Everyone must travel back to his home town to have his name written on a register. We will have to go to Bethlehem,” Joseph told Mary. When they came to the town, it was very busy. So many people had come to register in Bethlehem that there was no room left at the inn. But the innkeeper said they could use the stable where he kept his animals. Joseph helped Mary down from the donkey and took her into the stable. Mary made a bed for them on the straw. She knew her baby would soon be born. When the baby was born, they wrapped him up warmly and made a place for him to sleep in the manger, where the animals` hay was kept. The animals stood watching them. Their warm breath filled the tiny stable. It was not quiet for very long. The stable door opened and some shepherds came in. They wanted to see the baby. “But how did you know a baby had been born?” said Joseph. “We were out on the hills with our sheep and suddenly there was a bright light. God`s angels came to us. They told us there was a baby here,” said the shepherds. Then the shepherds went back to their sheep. They told their story to everyone they met. Mary and Joseph stayed in Bethlehem for a while. They thanked God for the baby Jesus. Ever since this time people have been commemorating this event by celebrating Christmas.