Good Morning Brown Clee! Today is the 8th December and in our advent calendar we are thinking about the shepherds in Bethlehem, who were tending their sheep on the hills.

Near Bethlehem there were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. Suddenly an angel appeared to them and dazzled them with the Glory of God.

“Don’t be afraid! I’ve come with a message of great joy for you and everyone else. Tonight a baby has been born in Bethlehem and he is to be your Saviour, Christ the Lord!”

Imagine what it must have been like if you were one of those shepherds? There you were, tired and sleepy, looking after your flock, when suddenly an angel appeared above you – all shiny and bright! How do you think they felt? If it was me I would have been amazed – I’d probably wonder initially if I was dreaming! I wonder whether I’d believe what I saw and heard?

The shepherds instantly believed – as in Luke 2:15-16 it reads “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.” Imagine their awe and wonder on arrival at the stable – to actually meet Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of Man!