They had been quietly watching their flocks, and perhaps looking out anxiously for the dawn, when suddenly, without any warning, an Angel came down to them from heaven, and the Glory of the Lord surrounded them with a great and wondrous light.
The shepherds were very frightened at first, but the Angel quickly reassured them by saying that he had brought very good news, which would be great joy to all people! For a Holy Babe was born in Bethlehem that night, Who had come to this earth to be the Saviour of the World!
Then the Angel told them that they would know his words were true, by finding the little Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.
And, suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly host were with the Angel who had been sent first; and they all praised God, and said, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Then the angels all went back to heaven, and the shepherds turned to each other in solemn awe, and they said, "The Lord has made known to us a wonderful thing—let us go to Bethlehem and see for ourselves what has come to pass."
So they left their flocks and hurried to the town.
And there, in a lowly stable, they saw the Holy Babe who was sent to Mary on the morning of Christmas-day!
Months before this, the Angel Gabriel had been sent from heaven to tell Mary that she was to be the most blessed of all women, for the Holy Child who was to be given to her was to be called the Son of God.
Now He had come! And she laid Him—the Son of God—in the manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.
Why did Jesus come to earth? How could His Heavenly Father spare Him? He was very rich in heaven! But for our sakes He became poor, that we might be rich! That was why He came—for our sakes!