Amos had just finished the last phrase on his flute. While the sheep rested quietly, Papa Ariah and brother Ezra settled down as well. The heavens boasted an array of glistening stars over this still, silent night.

But before Amos could sling the flute cord around his neck an incredibly bright light burst forth out of nowhere. He bent his head, covering his eyes. Ariah and Ezra both jumped up, shielding their eyes as well.

Someone stood in the midst of the light, a light that seemed to radiate from this being. They were terrified and fell to the ground.

The being spoke.

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

The Christ? The Messiah? Can it be that he has finally come? Amos wondered. The angelic being continued.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

A manger? A baby in a manger? No mother would put her baby in an animal trough. But before that thought could settle—

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

When the angels were gone, the night was once again dark and still. For a moment, the three shepherds could not see each other as their eyes readjusted from the brilliance of the light. Ezra was the first to speak. “Did we really see what we thought we saw?”

Ariah sighed.”I can hardly believe what we have just been told. The promised one, the Messiah has come, born as a baby.” 

“A baby… in a manger!” Amos added. “That’s the sign for us to know this is all true—born in Bethlehem and wrapped up in a manger. Let’s go see about this thing we’ve been told!”

Somehow with all this light and sound, the sheep slept quietly. God’s provision. So with only one thing on their minds, the three shepherds set off down the hills and into the valley of Bethlehem. They ran from stable to stable as they had been told, but they only saw sleeping animals.

Finally, not far from one of the inns, a single lantern glowed in one stable. Inside sat a young mother and father and yes, a baby swaddled up tight, lying in the dry straw of a manger.

The shepherds were well out of breath at this point and dared not approach the manger until they could catch their breath. They didn’t want  to wake the baby.

The mother’s eyes moistened as she listened to Ariah recount the scene on the hillside. “Come,” she said, “come in.” They cautiously came a few steps closer. All three spontaneously paused and knelt.

Ariah clutched his chest. “Behold, the Savior, the promised one who brings us great joy.”

A blessed Christmas to you all!

           ~ Joyce ~