The Advent gift on Day 18 of Sharing the Joy comes from the Seeking Common Ground Circle.
Read this English translation of the birth of Jesus as narrated in the Holy Qu’ran.

Many Christians do not realise that Jesus is revered as a prophet in Islam, second only to Muhammed. The nativity story in the Qu’ran is short, with some similarities and significant differences from the stories we are used to: (English translation after 19:16-27)

“And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East, and had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man. She said Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficient One from you, if you are God fearing.

He said, I am only a messenger of your Lord, that I may bestow on you a faultless son.

She said: How can I have a son when no mortal has touched me, neither have I been unchaste?

He said: So it will be. Your Lord says that We may make of him a portent for humankind and a mercy from us, and it is a thing ordained.

And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place. And the pangs of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree.

She said Oh, would that I had died ere this had become a thing of naught forgotten!

Then one cried out to her from below her saying Grieve not, your lord has placed a rivulet beneath you. And shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, you will cause ripe dates to fall on you. So eat and drink and be consoled. And if you meet any mortal say Lo I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal.

Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said, O Mary, you have come with an amazing thing!”