(A shepherd runs in, all out of breath) You're not going to believe what just happened! It started out as such an ordinary night, but then lights... and angels... and a newborn baby... and a Saviour... and a message from God. Oh - my head is just spinning! But then, you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? Okay - I'll try to back up here and start from the beginning. You've just got to hear about this! (takes a deep breath)

Earlier tonight, it was a night like any other. We were out in the fields with the sheep and just sitting there talking and admiring the stars. All of a sudden, we were surrounded by this brilliant light and an angel was standing there talking to us. Well, as you can well imagine, we were scared to death! We know as well as the next person that if an ordinary person sees the glory of God, they're going to die. We thought it was the end for all of us, but then the angel says, "Do not be afraid" (Lk. 2:10). Easy for him to say! - But at least we knew then that he hadn't come to kill us. Instead, he said that he had come to bring us "good news of great joy for all the people."

He definitely had our attention right there! What news could possibly be so good and joyful that an angel would appear to us to tell us? Well, then he told us that there had been a birth. A Saviour had been born "who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Lk. 2:11 ). Wow! The Messiah! Finally, a Saviour! The Lord? -- I'm still not too sure about that one. Could this baby somehow be... God? Now that would be amazing! But the Messiah - his coming had been promised for so long! Finally, a king from the line of David to rule over us and save us from our enemies. This we would have to see!

Well, then the angel told us that he had been born in the city of David - in Bethlehem - and that we would know it was him when we saw a baby wrapped up in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. Now that's certainly something you don't see every day - a baby lying in a feed box! But when we got to Bethlehem, there he was - so tiny and helpless and lying in a manger, just like the angel said.

Oh - but I forgot to tell you about the singing! There wasn't just the one angel, but a whole bunch of them singing praises to God and proclaiming peace among those whom God favours (Lk. 2:14 ). I can't help but thinking that this baby must be even bigger than the promised Messiah. Even the greatest kings of Israel never had whole choirs of angels announcing their birth. (Thoughtfully) Maybe the angel was right when he said that this child is also the Lord! What a concept - God actually being born and living among us! We sure couldn't say then that God doesn't understand. But why would God do such a thing? Why would God ever want to be born as a human being?

(A voice is heard reading the following passages from Scripture:)

Shepherd: Did you hear that? God is with us - come to save us - come to bring eternal life to all who believe in him! God isn't way out there somewhere. God is right here! We aren't alone. We don't have to just live in sin and then die. We have a Saviour! We are offered forgiveness. We are given hope and new life. Praise the Lord! Share the love! Spread the news! Give glory to God!

(The shepherd exits while still speaking.)

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