In the little town of Nazareth, nestled among the hills of Galilee, was the home of Joseph and Mary, who were afterward known as the earthly parents of Jesus. Now Joseph was of the lineage, or family, of David; and so, when a decree was sent out for the people to be taxed, he had to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, to have his name enrolled. This was a toilsome journey, as people traveled in those times. Mary, who went with her husband, was very weary as she climbed the hill on which Bethlehem stands.

I den lille by Nazaret mellem Galilæas høje boede Josef og Maria, der senere blev kendt som Jesu jordiske forældre. Josef var af Davids hus og slægt, og da der udgik en befaling, at al verden skulle skrives i mandtal, måtte han drage op til Betlehem, Davids by, for at lade sig indskrive. På den tid var en sådan rejse meget besværlig, og Maria, som ledsagede sin mand, var meget træt, da hun gik op ad højen til Betlehem.