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nce upon the very first Christmas, a long, long time ago, before there was a Santa Claus or sleigh bells in the snow . . .
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a ruler named Caesar sent out a decree that a census be taken of each town and family.
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So Joseph and his wife, Mary, with a child on the way, made the journey to Bethlehem, where they were to stay.
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But the inn was too full. They had nowhere to sleep . . .
except a lowly stable filled with cows and sheep.
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So there in the hay, Mary placed her baby boy.
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They named the child Jesus.
Their hearts filled with joy.
In the fields to some shepherds, an angel appeared and said, “Do not be afraid, for good news is here!”
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“In the city of David, on this very morn, in the humblest of places, a new King was born.”
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The wise men from the East, bearing gifts from afar bowed down to the child beneath a bright star.
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Mary held her little Lamb, who soon the whole world would know, once upon the very first Christmas, a long, long time ago.
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