. . . news of great joy to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ, the Lord!

T he words had yet to have much meaning to Lemuel and his friends. They were still reeling from the spectacle of the angel’s appearance. While God’s angel spoke of peace and comfort, while he spoke of the coming of a Savior, their hearts pounded with excitement. When suddenly, there was with the angel myriads of heavenly creatures. The scene caused the three men and the boy to fall to the ground. Ahaim cried out, “God help us! We shall be slain!” But they were not slain. The heavenly beings instead began to sing,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill toward men!

And as suddenly as they appeared, the angel and the heavenly creatures were gone. The happy angelic rejoicing hushed. Sounds of night quickly descended. Fire coals snapped. Sheep heads lowered. A frog croaked in a distant stream, the sound carrying to their ears as they looked at one another, each clinging to the ground as if they would fly off it, their minds so dazzled they were sore. “Will they come back?” whimpered the boy.

The question hung unanswered for a passing respite until Lemuel spoke, “I think they have left us.” Silence settled upon them like a sweet syrup. “Now,” he whispered, “Gather the sheep. We go to see this great thing that has come to pass.”

Lemuel, Ahaim, Eleiazar and Jesse with their combined flocks of sheep descended the grassy slopes of the hills surrounding Bethlehem. In the darkness of early morning, the wooly creatures bleated their way into the sheepfold adjoining the stable. There they found Mary and Joseph, cuddled together in the hay, and the babe lying in a manger.

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