Come, Lord, and no longer tarry!
Suddenly a bright light shines over the fields of Bethlehem, and a heavenly voice says:
Shepherds, awake, arise!
Behold the happy day,
When God by works for ever new
Shall his great love display.
The sleeping shepherds and shepherdesses awake; they look about them and perceive the angels surrounded with a heavenly glory.
FIRST SHEPHERD.
Heavens! what means this brightness here?
I am almost numbed with fear.