Read Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The news of Christ’s birth spreads like fire. The Angel delivers the news to the shepherds with glorious singing. The shepherds rush to the manger to behold the baby in wonder and then spread the word. No wonder our Christmas Eve services end with everyone holding a little flame in front of their hearts! The knowledge that we have received is beautiful, illuminating, and meant to be shared. From angel to shepherd, from heaven to earth we wonder at the beauty and the mystery of the incarnation. How can we help from singing?
Pray – O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
Listen – #16 O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen King’s College Cambridge 2009
