“What has happened?” she whispered.
The fields and hills were flooded with light. The group of shepherds were standing close together, gazing intently at the luminous eastern sky. A moment later she saw them fall on their knees in worship. There in the entrance of her rude shelter, she, too, knelt and prayed. Clearly she saw the shining angel appear and in the peaceful stillness of the night she heard these words:
“Be not afraid; for, behold, I bring good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be the sign unto you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel many, many others. Together they lifted up their voices in praise and sang,
“Glory to God in the highest,
Peace on earth
Good will toward men.”
When the sweet music died away, the maiden rose to her feet and joined the shepherds.
“I saw the angel, Father, and heard the singing,” she whispered.
“Christ, the Lord, is born,” answered her father.
“Let us hasten to Bethlehem and see the Heavenly Child who fulfills the promise of God,” said one of the shepherds.
“Shall we leave our flocks?” asked another. But the question was not answered.