We are told that "the angel of the Lord" appeared to a local group of shepherds, who told them:
"...Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David [which they knew was Bethlehem] a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
"And this shall be a sign unto you; YE SHALL FIND THE BABE WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, LYING IN A MANGER." (Luke 2:10-12)
So, since they were "local" laborers: "...there were in the SAME COUNTRY shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night..." (verse 8)... they knew exactly where "nearby" Bethlehem was. And although the town was full of people at this particular time... there probably weren't too many overcrowded stables in town with "newborn babies" in them.
My only hope is that they sent a "delegation" of their number to Bethlehem to check it out... and that they didn't all irresponsibly abandon their flock altogether.
Shepards
Angels were gods messengers, and they told the word of the birth of Jesus to humble shepards.
Mary, then Joseph, then Mary's cousin, Elizabeth.
The biblical account (Luke 2:8-15) does not provide the name of the angel who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
If Jesus came to die, why didn't he merely die right after birth?
mary and josepph
It was the visits by the Shepard and the wise men.
Christmas wasn't invented it came about by the birth of Jesus.
kushanas
At Christmas time it is mostly a time for remembrance and thankfulness for the birth of Jesus, but it is good to remember why he came!
Jesus story tells us that he came to die for the sins of the world. So that we could have salvation.
Zacharias, was the husband of Elizabeth who prophesied of Jesus when he was still in his mother, Mary's womb when Mary came to visit Elizabeth. There is no other way that I know of where Zacharias was involved with Jesus' birth.