And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-14
I sometimes wonder what the shepherds thought when they arrived at the manger. Having just been visited by a host of angels, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah, a Saviour, a new born king! Did they arrive at the manger and think, “Is this it?” A baby, humbly born in a stable; He wasn’t born in some great palace to a powerful and wealthy family, somebody that could obviously influence and change things. How could this child possibly change the world?
