A long time ago, in a small village called Bethlehem, something wonderful happened. Mary and Joseph, a loving couple, had come to a stable, because there was no room for them in the inns of the city. On this particular evening, her baby was born, and his name was Jesus. Mary wrapped him in warm cloths and laid him in a manger, which was actually a feeding trough for animals.
That same night there were shepherds out in the fields tending their sheep. It was a normal night for the shepherds, who watched under the twinkling starry sky and made sure that their flock of sheep was safe.
Suddenly, the sky was no longer dark. A bright light shone, and an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds. The shepherds were frightened and very afraid, but the angel spoke to them reassuringly: “Do not be afraid! I bring you wonderful news that will bring great joy to all people. Today, in the city of David, that is, Bethlehem, the Savior is born! He is Christ the Lord.”
The shepherds listened intently, and the angel continued: “Let this be a sign to you: You will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Then something even more amazing happened. Heaven was filled with a great host of angels praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all men in whom God is well pleased!”
After the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds looked at each other in wonder. They were so excited that they immediately decided, “Come, let’s go to Bethlehem and see what has happened and what the Lord has revealed to us.”
The shepherds quickly ran into the village and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Just as the angel had told them. They were overjoyed to find Jesus the Savior. They told Mary and Joseph what they had experienced and how the angels had brought them the good news.
When the shepherds went back to the fields, they praised and glorified God for all they had heard and seen. They told everyone they met about what had happened.
Message of history
God has given us Jesus because He loves us. The good news of Jesus’ birth is for all people, and we can rejoice in it and pass it on.
Bible passage
The story of the shepherds who visit Jesus can be found in Luke 2:8-20:
“And there were shepherds in the same region in the field, guarding their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were very afraid. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people; for a Saviour has been born to you today in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign for you: you will find a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, in the people whom he is well pleased.” And it came to pass, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go as far as Bethlehem and see the thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went in haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. But when they saw it, they made known everywhere the word that had been spoken to them by this child. And all who came before her were amazed at what the shepherds had said to them. But Mary kept all these words and moved them in her heart. And the shepherds turned back and praised and praised God for all that they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.”
