The town wakes up to a new day.  It doesn’t quite seem like any other day.  A tranquil, peaceful night has given way to a quiet sunrise.

Few have heard of the overnight excitement at a nearby stable.  A babe lies wrapped in bands of cloth, and he sleeps in a simple livestock feed box.

Outside of the sleepy town, shepherds watch over their flocks at night.  However, with the rising sun there awakens a buzz among them.  A handful of them have returned from a most magnificent and blessed sight.

Directed by an angelic, heavenly host, these simple men were invited to witness the good news of great joy for all of God’s people.  An angel of the Lord proclaims, “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

With haste, the band of shepherds swiftly journey into the town.  Their quick pace is filled with overwhelming wonder. 

In arriving at a simple scene, filled with livestock, a husband and wife, and a newborn baby, the shepherds pay their respects to this Prince of Peace . . . Wonderful, Counselor, King of Kings.  Only a loving Father in Heaven could orchestrate such a joyous and lasting moment for the birth of His Son. 

God has heard the distressed cries of His people.  In this eternal moment, He forever reminds mankind that He fulfills His promises.

Later in the morning, a young shepherd boy wonders.  While he didn’t have the opportunity to see the baby in the manger, he has heard all of the other shepherds talking about their amazing experience while they praise God. 

Thinking to himself, the boy quietly asks a couple of questions.  Perhaps God will answer them in his lifetime.

• What will this young King’s life be like? 
• How will His coming change the darkness of this world?

He feels astounded and kneels to pray.  As he talks to the Lord, he is in awe of all that he has heard this day.