y covenant; (73)the oath which
he swore to Abraham our father, (74)to grant to us, that without fear,
being rescued from the hand of our enemies, we should serve him,
(75)in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

(76)And also thou, O child, shalt be called Prophet of the Highest;
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways,
(77)in order to give knowledge of salvation to his people in remission
of their sins; (78)through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the
dayspring from on high visited us, (79)to give light to those sitting
in darkness and the shadow of death, in order to guide our feet into
the way of peace.

(80)And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, and was in the
deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

II.

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered. (2)This
registering was the first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
(3)And all went to be registered, each one to his own city. (4)And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was
of the house and family of David), (5)to be registered with Mary his
betrothed wife, who was with child. (6)And so it was, that, while they
were there, the days were completed that she should bring forth.
(7)And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in
swathing bands, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room
for them in the inn.

(8)And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
and keeping watch over their flock by night. (9)And, behold, an angel
of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them; and they were sore afraid. (10)And the angel said to them: Fear
not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all the people. (11)For to you is born this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12)And this shall be to you
the sign: Ye will find a babe wrapped in swathing bands, lying in a
manger. (13)And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and saying: (14)Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.

(15)And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, that the shepherds said one to another: Let us go now unto
Bethlehem, and see t