2:7. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.
Her firstborn. . .The meaning is, not that she had afterward any other child; but it is a way of speech among the Hebrews, to call them also the firstborn, who are the only children. See annotation Matt. 1. 25.
2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock.
2:9. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear.
2:10. And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people:
2:11. For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.
2:12. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
2:13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying:
2:14. Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will.
2:15. And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.