And his softest bed was hay.
LESSON XIV.
THE SHEPHERDS.
Luke, ii. 8-20.
There were some fields near Bethlehem. On the night when Jesus was born, some shepherds were sitting by their sheep in those fields. Why did they sit up at night? To keep their sheep from the wolves and lions which walk about at night. There are no lions where we live, but near Bethlehem there were some.
These shepherds saw a great light. A beautiful angel came from heaven. The poor shepherds were afraid; but the angel said, Fear not, I have sweet news to tell you. God has sent his own Son from heaven to save you from hell. He is a baby now, lying in a manger. Go to Bethlehem, and you will find him.
When the angel had done speaking, hundreds and hundreds of bright angels filled the sky, and began singing and praising God for having sent his Son to save men.
At last the angels went back to heaven, and the shepherds were left alone.
Did they stay with their sheep? No; they said, Let us go and see the Son of God.
They ran to Bethlehem, and went to the stable of the inn. There was a babe in the manger; Mary and Joseph were sitting by. The shepherds said, This is the Son of God. Angels have spoken to us to-night, and told us where to find him.
All the people in Bethlehem were much surprised when the shepherds told them about the angels and the Son of God.