An order was sent out across the Roman Empire by the Emperor Augustus. He wanted to make sure that all the people were paying their taxes. Because Joseph's family came from a town called Bethlehem, in Judea, he and Mary had no choice, but to return there to record their names.
Mary and Joseph searched for somewhere to stay. But the inns were full and it seemed that there was no place for them. MAry looked so tired at one inn, that the innkeeper felt sorry for her and offered Joseph his table.
The stable was full of animals and very smelly and dirty, but at least it was somewhere for mary to rest.
Mary gave birth to her son that very night she rapped him warmly, in strips of cloth, and laid him gently in a manger, to sleep.
