Suddenly they heard a loud, clear voice.
"Shepherds!"
Silence fell upon the group.
"Shepherds, do not be afraid. I bring you the good news which all the Jews have waited so long to hear. This very day, Christ your Saviour has been born in the city of David. And this is how you will know him: you will find him as a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."
The voice broke off, and a great chorus began to sing. The sky rang with the music, and these were the words of the song:
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, good will toward men."
As quickly as they had come, the light and the singing were gone. There was just the darkness again, and the far-off howling of wild beasts. Everything was the same as before, except that the shepherds' eyes were still blinded by the light, and their ears were full of the music.