Good Tidings of Great Joy

The Story

On the night Jesus was born, there were shepherds out in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks.

Shepherds were not important people. Their work was dirty and their hours were long. Many people looked down on them.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were terrified.

The angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And he gave them a sign: they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Then suddenly the sky was filled with a multitude of angels praising God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

When the angels left, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.”

They hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger, just as they had been told. Then they spread the word everywhere, and went back to their fields glorifying and praising God.

Reflection