5 *Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

14 Therefore, since the children all have *flesh and blood, Jesus himself took on flesh and blood as well, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers in every way, so that he could be a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.

16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

20 But as he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to receive Mary as yoʋr wife, for the child that is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and yoʋ shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet:

23 "Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will name him Immanuel"

(which means, "God with us"). 24 When Joseph woke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took his wife 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to *her firstborn son. And he named him Jesus.

30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for yoʋ have found favor with God. 31 And behold, yoʋ will conceive in yoʋr womb and give birth to a son, and yoʋ shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to register himself along with Mary, his betrothed *wife, who was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. Then she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in *the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be *the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in *a manger."

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, they made *widely known what they had been told about the child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

37 Pilate said to him, "So yoʋ are a king?" Jesus answered, "Yoʋ have said yoʋrself that I am a king. The reason I was born and the reason I came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."

9 They listened to the king and went on their way, and behold, the star they had seen in the east went before them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 As they came into the house and *saw the child with his mother Mary, they fell down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.