The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9 And behold,[fn] an angel of [the] Lord stood before them, and [the] glory of [the] Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “{Do} not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news [of] great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in [the] city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ [the] Lord! 12 And this [will be] the sign[fn] to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.[fn]”

13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of [the] heavenly host, praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in [the] highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men![fn]”

15 When the angels had left them [and gone] into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this [thing] that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, [who] was lying in the manger. 17 [After] they had seen [the Child], they spread widely[fn] the message they had received about [Him]. 18 And all who heard [it] were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things [and] pondered [them] in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as [the angel] had told them.