The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would have a baby. Angel Gabriel told Mary that her baby would be God’s son and be called Jesus. Mary was very shocked and in disbelief, but she knew she was special to be chosen by God.

After Mary had been visited by the angel, she went to visit her relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah were also expecting a very special baby. Zechariah had been told by an angel that their baby should be called John.

When Mary arrived, Elizabeth’s baby leaped for joy. ‘You are a very special woman, Mary!’ cried Elizabeth.

Mary was engaged to Joseph. An angel also appeared to him and explained about Mary’s special baby. At the same time, there was a census of all people in the land. This meant everyone had to travel to the town of their birth.

Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem, the town of Joseph’s birth. Mary travelled on a donkey as she was heavily pregnant and unable to walk such a long distance. The journey was very long and hard.

Finally, Mary and Joseph arrived in the town of Bethlehem, the City of David. Unfortunately, it was very busy with fellow travellers and there was nowhere left to stay in the town.

Eventually, Joseph found an innkeeper who had a stable outside for his animals. Mary and Joseph settled into the stable alongside the animals.

That night, Jesus was born in the stable.

Mary placed the baby Jesus in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths. It was a very humble beginning for Jesus as he was the Son of God.

Later that night, an angel appeared to shepherds who were tending to their sheep on a hillside. The angel told the shepherds that a Saviour had been born and they should visit him in Bethlehem. The shepherds immediately left to find Jesus, following a bright star over the stable.

In the East, Wise Men spotted a very bright star in the sky. They knew this meant a king had been born, so they travelled with special gifts to give to the new king.

On the way, the Wise Men visited King Herod to ask whether he knew anything about the new king and where he was. King Herod felt threatened by news of the birth of a new king. He told the Wise Men to return and tell him where the new king was once they found him.

The Wise Men followed the bright star all the way to Bethlehem and found Jesus. They gave Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. That night, the Wise Men had a dream warning them not to tell King Herod that Jesus was in Bethlehem. Wanting to keep Jesus safe, they returned home through an alternate route.

King Herod discovered Jesus was in Bethlehem. He ordered all young boys in Bethlehem to be killed by his soldiers in order for this new king to be removed.

Joseph had a dream about Angel Gabriel telling him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt and escape danger.

Mary, Joseph and Jesus travelled to Egypt immediately to escape King Herod’s soldiers and they were safe.