“Come, let us see what gifts we have to carry to the Christ-child,” said the shepherd who first saw the light in the sky.
In a few moments these simple-hearted men were ready to start across the fields and over the low hills to Bethlehem. Very humble gifts they had to offer, but their hearts were filled with joy and wonder.
Standing near the entrance to the cave the shepherd maiden could see the outline of the group of men making their way to the city of David. “They are going to see the Christ-child,” she said to herself, “a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
How she would love to see the Heavenly Child! A deep longing to behold the little new-born King seized her. She would follow the shepherds to Bethlehem. One glimpse at the Christ-child would fill her heart with joy.
Away over the star-lit fields and hills she started. Not once did she falter, although the way was long and some of the hillsides were hard to climb.
Finally, she saw the shepherds pass in the gate of the city of Bethlehem.
“I came to see the Christ-child,” she said to a group of people who stood whispering together. They looked at her in astonishment.
“I am following the shepherds,” she added.
“They have gone to the inn,” was the answer.
When she reached the inn she was directed to a cave near, which served as a stable.