"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." Luke 2:8

What a shock these guys received. There they were, hanging out in a field right smack-dab in the middle of nowhere taking care of their sheep.  All of a sudden the very sky split open!  A multitude of huge, white-clothed figures appeared in the sky, and started singing praises to the Most High!  Blinding light filled the pasture, and one of the figures came forward.  He spoke, in a booming voice, “You have nothing to fear.  We come to celebrate the birth of the Saviour of the universe!  He has just been born in the town of Bethlehem.  This will be a sign: you will find him wrapped in a cloth, lying in a manger.  Go!  Tell all your friends!  Visit him!”

The shepherds bowed low in fear and awe at the angels of the Lord.  Then, they grabbed their staffs, ran across the field, up the hill, over the low stone wall, through the village, and into the stable they had heard of.  There, in the soft light of the stars from above, they witnessed the baby.  The promised Messiah who would save the world.

A shepherd and boy with their lamb.