“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.

“The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”                                    —John 1:1-3, 14

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

“For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.”                                                                                  —John 3:16-17

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin . . .

“The angel said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name “Jesus.”  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.’”                                         —Luke 1:26-27, 30-32

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this; for after his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

“Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,

“‘Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.’

“Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,  ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son.  They shall call his name Immanuel;  which is, being interpreted, “God with us.’”

“Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;  and didn’t know her sexually until she had brought forth her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.” —Matthew 1:18-24

“A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.  It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

“There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

“The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”           —Luke 2:1-11

“Peter opened his mouth and said,

“‘Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.  The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 

“‘We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree.  God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.  All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.’” —Acts 10:34-43

“‘One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.’”           —John 14:21

“‘My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.  My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.’” —John 10:27-29 NCV