“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16)
If we try to imagine what the shepherds experienced that night, it must have been a great and glorious miracle for them!
At first there was great fear. For by the appearance of the angel, everything around them was put into a bright light. The light of divine glory.
But they were immediately reassured by the angel with the words: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy.” This would be great news for all the people. This day in Bethlehem the Savior was born: Christ, the Lord.
The angel also told them how they would recognize the Child; The Child was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Suddenly with the angel came a crowd of other angels. A heavenly army.
The Bible speaks of this in the plural. Can you imagine it? A multitude of the heavenly host appeared and sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
The shepherds must have listened breathlessly and watched in awe as this heavenly choir sang to the glory of God.
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds hurried to go to the Child Jesus. And they found Him, just as the angel had told them.
Do you also long to hurry and go to Jesus?