It was a cold night outside of Bethlehem. This time of year it is always cold. Nothing about this night seemed out of the norm. The town of Bethlehem had settled down quite a bit. During the day was a lot of activity. People coming and going. Tempers were flaring. No one really knew what to do during this whole census business. Do they go here or go there. Is it this table or that table? It was a great big mess. If only things were organized better.

Now that it was night, the shepherds can finally get some peace and quiet. It is not easy being a shepherd. The pay is not very good. It requires long hours. It was also boring and routine. All during the day you must guide your flock of sheep and make sure none are led astray. It was not easy, with all the commotion going on in Bethlehem. The sheep were frightened all day with so many people coming to Bethlehem.

Out of all the people that were entering Bethlehem, none seemed as annoying as that priest from Jerusalem. It is always like that with these big city people. He was upset and loud. Made sure everyone around him knew just how mad he was. How can this city have no inn? Why is there no decent place to eat? He even calls the shepherds a bunch of hicks, when they get in his way.

There was another man that the shepherds observed. He was a rich man from the country. No one could move as fast as him. He left his estate in the charge of his servants so he could be counted in the census. He needed to get back there quickly as he was losing money everyday he was not home. There was money to made, but not here in Bethlehem. He pushed his way into the city and knocked over anything that was in his way. When one of the shepherd’s sheep wandered into his path, he gave the sheep a swift kick and continued on without slowing down.

Those were only two of the various people coming into Bethlehem that night. All kinds of people entered Bethlehem. Old, young, rich, and poor. Traders and merchants. Sailors and farmers. Priests and stone masons. All were in Bethlehem. The shepherds observed that even a carpenter from Nazareth was here. He had traveled a great distance with his wife who was pregnant and just about ready to give birth. While he looked pretty harmless to the shepherds, they were still suspicious of him as they had often heard that nothing good comes from Nazareth.

After all this activity today, the shepherds were glad to finally get some sleep. This was there first moment of peace all day. They huddled together for warmth and begin to fall asleep. Sleep slowly overtakes them, when suddenly a bright light flashes and wakes them up. What could this be they say to themselves. They see what looks like a man in front of them, but not quite a man. More like an angel. Maybe they are dreaming. Maybe the day was more stressful than they thought. Something just does not seem right about this man. They were afraid.

Suddenly the man, or whatever he is, speaks. "Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign for you. You shall find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

A warmthness passed over the shepherds as they heard this man, no angel, speak. What could he mean, they all thought? Before they could ask a question, a new sight greeted them. In front of them was a multitude of angels, and what they could only assume was a heavenly host. They began singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace goodwill toward men." Just as suddenly as they appeared, the angels were now gone.

The shepherds look at each other, but no one said a word for about a minute. One finally broke the silence. "Let us go into Bethlehem and see this sight." All agreed, with no descent. The shepherds leave there flock behind and enter Bethlehem. They begin searching for the manger. Something seems to pull them into the direction of the caves outside of town. With all the people in town, there was no room in the inns, so many sought shelter in the caves that dotted the hillside.

The shepherds come to a cave, no different from any other cave. They look inside and see that the place is filthy. The odor smells like animals and you had to watch your step as sheep often wandered into the cave. Inside the only people they see are the carpenter from Nazareth and his wife holding a newborn infant. Is this what the angels spoke of? They did not have to even ask the question for they all knew: this is the child, this is Christ the Lord.

But how could this be? They were shepherds. Why would the angel speak to them? They are no one of any consequence. Then they realize – that is why they were chosen. Why the Christ is born in a cave of all places. For this child does not have a bed made of gold and blankets of silk, but is placed in a simple feeding trough with hay for bedding. This child is here for them. This child came to save them. Shepherds were well known for being rough people. Many of them had done things like steal, swear, and lie. Since they work all day in the fields, they are always too dirty and unclean to ever worship in a synagogue. Now they are worshipping God, through this little child. Each one feels whatever burdens they are carrying taken away. The dirt on their sandals means nothing, for now God is truly present with them. One by one, each shepherd gets down on their knees and prays. Some confess all there wrongdoings. Others sing songs of worship. But all of them know that God is with them.

Others begin appearing out of the dark night. The shepherds see the same loud priest from Jerusalem. Is he going to ruin everything with his complaining and boasting? He approaches the shepherds and then brushes by. He falls to his knees in front of the child and begins praying. "God, I have never been the best person. I have always despised people and have never had any friends. Even those who look to me for guidance. Please forgive me." The priest from Jerusalem gets up and then sees the shepherds. He runs over to them and again falls on his knees. "Anything I might have said to you, I am truly sorry. Something drew me to this place. It feels like all my burdens have been taken away. I no longer feel the contempt for people that I have always felt. Everything is different now that I am in the presence of this child."

The shepherds then notice that the rich man from the country is also here. He also is kneeling in front of the child. "God, I have never been the best person. I was always focused on my wealth and have never had any friends. Even those who work for me fear me. Please forgive me." The rich man from the country then gets up and sees the shepherds. He runs over to them and again falls on his knees. "I am truly sorry for kicking your sheep. Something drew me to this place. It feels like all my burdens have been taken away. I no longer feel the desire for money that I have always felt. Everything is different now that I worship this child."

More people came to the cave to worship this child. Something seems to be drawing each person to see this child. Everyone who worships this child feels their burdens carried away. Go back to their lives knowing that they were in the presence of God.

It was then that the shepherds realize that this child did not just come for them, but to all people throughout the world. This child is Lord of all: Rich, poor, Greek or Jew, sinners and tax collectors. All will worship this child. As the shepherds set off, they know that this will not be the last time they see this child. This child will live with them throughout their lives. Every time they meet someone on the road to Bethlehem they will tell them about this child. If someone is rushed or in a hurry, they will tell them about this child. If someone is condemned and on there way to crucifixion, they will them about this child. If someone is simply sitting under a tree to get out of the sun, they will tell them about this child. The shepherds know that in the future the whole world will worship this child.