Have you ever wondered what it might have been like on the very first Christmas Day? Let's find out how it all began!
As time went by, Mary's tummy grew bigger and bigger. She knew that Jesus was growing inside her, and that it wouldn't be long before He would be born! Everyone was very excited as they waited for that special day!
Then Joseph and Mary received some bad news. The governor had told them that they needed to take a long trip to the town of Bethlehem. There was a law that all the people had to be on a list, and they needed to be on the list in Bethlehem.
This was NOT a good time for Mary and Joseph to leave their home! Baby Jesus was about to be born, and Mary was very tired. In those days, you couldn't get in a car or an airplane and get to Bethlehem quickly. You needed to ride a horse or donkey to travel.
Joseph and Mary packed what they needed for the long trip. There was only enough room on their donkey for one person, so Mary rode the donkey while Joseph walked and guided it to Bethlehem.
When they got to Bethlehem, both Mary and Joseph were very tired. All they could think about was finding a nice warm place to sleep that night. They went to the first inn (a hotel) and knocked on the door. When the innkeeper answered it, Joseph said, "My wife and I need a place to sleep tonight. We have traveled a long way, and Mary is about to have a Baby."
Although the innkeeper wanted to help them, he had no room in the inn. People were coming from all over to say in Bethlehem that night, so Mary and Joseph had to look for another place to stay.
When they reached the second inn, Joseph knocked on the door. The innkeeper answered, and Joseph asked if there might be a room for them to spend the night. This innkeeper also had no room and told Mary and Joseph that they would have to keep looking for another place to stay.
Mary and Joseph were very tired now, and probably a little worried that they would not find a place to sleep. Joseph tried one last inn to see if there might be room. When he talked to the innkeeper, the innkeeper told him that he, too had no room. But then he told Mary and Joseph about a stable in the back that they might be able to spend the night. A stable is a place where animals are kept.
Mary and Joseph were very thankful that the innkeeper let them use his stable to rest. The innkeeper put fresh hay in the manger (a feeding trough for the animals), and let them use the manger as a crib for Jesus.
On that very night, Jesus was born! Mary wrapped Him up in a warm blanket and gently laid him in the manger. As Mary and Joseph looked at the Baby, they knew that this Baby was very special. He was God's Son, and would grow up to teach others about God's love for each and every one of us!
The first Christmas was a very special day! It was the day Jesus was born! This year, let's not forget to wish Jesus a "happy birthday", and thank God for sending us such a special gift -- His Son.