1 A big ruler said, “All people must be counted.” 2 This was the first big count. A boss in Syria was in charge then. ️ 3 All people went to their own town to be counted. ♀️♂️️ 4 Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was David’s town. Joseph was from David’s family. ️⭐ 5 He went with Mary. She was going to have a baby. ♂️♀️ 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. ⏰ 7 Mary had her first baby, a boy. She wrapped Him and put Him in an animal box. There was no room in the inn. 8 Some men who took care of sheep were in the fields at night, watching their sheep. 9 An angel came to them, and bright light shone. The men were very scared. ✨ 10 The angel said, “Do not be scared. I bring good news that will make all people glad.” ️ 11 “Today in David’s town a baby was born. He will save us. He is the Lord.” ✝️ 12 “You will find the baby. He is wrapped and lying in an animal box.” 13 Many angels came. They praised God. 14 They said, “Praise to God in heaven! Peace on earth to people with God’s love.” 15 The angels went back to heaven. The men said, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see what God told us.” ➡️️ 16 They ran and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the animal box. ♂️♀️ 17 They told people what the angel said about the child. ️ 18 All who heard were amazed at what the men said. 19 Mary kept these things in Her heart. She thought about them. 20 The men went back to the fields, praising God for all they saw and heard. 21 After 8 days, the baby got His name, Jesus. They did what God’s law said for a baby boy. 8️⃣✍️ 22 When the time came, they took Jesus to God’s house in Jerusalem and gave Him to the Lord. ️ 23 God’s law said, “The first baby boy belongs to God.” ➡️ 24 They gave two birds as a gift to God. ️️ 25 A good man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He waited for God to help His people. God’s Holy Spirit was with him. ⏳ 26 God’s Holy Spirit told him he would see God’s chosen One before he died. ✨ 27 God’s Holy Spirit led him to God’s house. Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus there. ️➡️️ 28 Simeon held Jesus and thanked God. 29 Simeon said, “Lord, now I can go in peace, just like You said.” ️ 30 “I saw the One who will save.” ✝️ 31 “You made this for all people to see.” 32 “He is a light for people far away and a joy for Your people, Israel.” 33 Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. 34 Simeon blessed them. He said, “This child will make many people choose. Some will say yes. Some will say no.” ➡️↔️ 35 He said to Mary, “You will feel very sad one day. It will hurt.” 36 A woman named Anna was there. She was very old. She prayed to God day and night. 37 Her husband had died. She stayed at God’s house all the time. She prayed and did not eat sometimes. ️⏳ 38 Anna thanked God and told people about Jesus. They were waiting for God to save the city. ️️ 39 Mary and Joseph did all God’s law said. Then they went home to Nazareth in Galilee. ♀️♂️ 40 Jesus grew big and strong. He got wise. God was with Him. ✨ 41 Each year His parents went to Jerusalem for a big God day called Passover. ️ 42 When Jesus was 12, they went again. 1️⃣2️⃣♂️♀️ 43 After the trip, Jesus stayed in the city. His parents did not know. ️↩️❓ 44 They thought He was with the group. They walked one day. Then they looked for Him. ♂️♀️ 45 They did not find Him, so they went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. ️ 46 After three days, they found Jesus in God’s house. He sat with teachers. He listened and asked questions. 3️⃣❓ 47 All who heard Him were amazed at His wise answers. 48 His parents saw Him and were shocked. His mother said, “Son, why did You do this? Your father and I looked for You. We were sad and afraid.” 49 Jesus said, <jesus>Why were you looking for Me? Did you know I must be in My Father’s house?</jesus> ️️ 50 But they did not understand what He said to them. ♀️♂️ 51 Jesus went home to Nazareth with them. He obeyed them. Mary kept these things in Her heart. 52 Jesus grew in body and in wise ways. God and people were glad with Him.