Angels Visit the Shepherds

Some shepherds who lived in the fields near Bethlehem watched over their flocks of sheep.  They stayed awake through the night to make sure that nothing happened to the bleating lambs and their woolly mothers and fathers.  Perhaps the youngest shepherd would play music on his pipe, while the older men told stories.

One night, as they sat on the hillside, an angel of the Lord appeared before them!  Frightened, the shepherds shielded their eyes from the glorious light.  Then the angel spoke to them.  "Do not be afraid," the angel said.  "I have wonderful, joyous news to tell you.  Today in Bethlehem a Savior has been born for you.  He is the Messiah.  You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and cradled in a manger."

A host of other angels joined him, and together they said, "Glory to God, and peace to the people of the earth."  Then the angels returned to heaven.  One of the shepherds looked at his companions and said, "We should go into Bethlehem and see the child the angels told us about."  All the shepherds agreed, and they hurried off together.

They came to the place where the baby lay in the manger.  Soon the eyes of the oldest shepherd were filled with tears.  "My Lord!" he cried gently as he fell on the ground before the mother and child.

The shepherds stayed only for a few moments.  They saw that Mary needed to rest.  As soon as they left the stable, the shepherds began to shout to everyone they say, "Have you hard?  Do you know?  A Savior has come!  The Messiah is born!"  Soon many people in Bethlehem had heard the strange rumors.

(From Classic Bible Stories, A Family Treasury retold by Lise Caldwell (c) 1998 Standard Publishing.  Used by permission.  This book may be purchased at your local Christian Bookstore or from Standard Publishing (800-543-1301).