The night started like any other night. It was business as usual. Watching their flocks.Whatever was on the shepherds’ minds, nothing couldn’t fully prepare for them for an angel
and how “the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” Of course they got scared.
And of course the angel had to speak the same words he spoke to everyone in this story.

“Fear not.”

Since it’s repeated so many times, it’s worth thinking about. Especially in the case of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The angel declared:

 “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

This news was exciting! After the angel said, “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger,” the angel was joined by a heavenly host of angels, who also stressed how important we should not fear, but rejoice that the Son of God had come to earth!

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

I imagine there were many angels–maybe more than 1000. I wished I had witnessed that night with the shepherds, but I got a peek when I was among the 1000 angels in this video–

The shepherds dropped what they were doing and “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

I’m sure there was a sense of peace and reverence  in the stable. After the shepherds witnessed the  miracle, they told others the good news. Perhaps the shepherds rushed into the town of Bethlehem, and maybe an innkeeper or two heard it. Everyone who did, were in awe at the shepherds’ message.

Even after sharing what they had seen in the stable, they were still “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”

It seems like the shepherds never forgot that piercing night. It’s a night we should remember too.

Coming soon: an account of being an angel, more nativity figures, and a Christmas story that captures the spirit of Christmas.

References:
Luke 2

Images:
“Annunciation to the Shepherds” by Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp
The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds, by Del Parson from lds.com
Illustration from Alden’sbook  Prince of Peace
Savior of the World rehearsal lds.com
“The adoration of Shepherds” byGerard van Honthorst