"Come", they told me

Silently the stars shone down on a solitary shepherd guarding the flocks in the pen. The animals were quiet in the still hours of the night. A small fire burned blissfully and comfortingly near the gate.

Jacob watched as a piece of wood crumbled to ashes releasing a small shower of sparks into the air. He loved these quiet times when he stood guard. He could reflect on the nature of the universe without disruption. True he wasn't completely alone, Jonas was somewhere nearby making water.

Together they held the dead watch over the sheep. The moon had swung in its course smiling down on the pair. Soon Isaac and Peter would come and relieve them for some much needed sleep.

Jonas came back to the fire and nodded to Jacob. They didn't talk much, neither wanted to disturb the sanctity of the night.

Jacob cocked his head to the side. He could hear voices in the distance. Peter and Isaac were coming. He motioned to Jonas and they began to gather their things. They finished just as Peter entered the firelight.

"Evening. Any problems?," Peter said.

Jacob shook his head. "Been nice and quiet tonight," he said.

"We'll have to liven it up then!", Isaac said with a laugh as he smacked Jacob on the back. "Can't have it too quiet or we'll fall asleep, eh?"

Jonas smiled and shook his head. "The two of you could wake the dead," he said.

"I don't get how you two can stand being out here, not talking the whole time," Peter said. "I couldn't do it."

"Me neither," agreed Isaac.

"It's easy especially on nights like this," Jacob said. "The stars are so clear and bright. The sky is so clear. It's as if the mysteries of heaven were being unfolded before you."

"They let me know that I'm just one part of a beautiful mural God has painted in this life. I just sit and try to see the brush strokes," Jonas said.

"That's nice, but I do--", Peter was cutoff by Jacob.

"Look there!", Jacob exclaimed pointing to the sky. "That's the largest and brightest star I've ever seen and it just appeared!"

"You're joking? Stars don't just appear," Isaac said peering up at the sky with the rest of them.

"No, he's right. I've never seen it before either," said Jonas.

"Shhhhhh! Do you hear that?", asked Jacob.

"What?", Peter said pulling his sling from his belt. He was ready should wolves or bandits approach. Isaac and Jonas did likewise.

"Singing," Jacob said with a perplexed look on his face.

"Singing? Who'd be si... No, I hear it too. It's getting closer," Peter said.

The strains of music grew in strength. As it came closer the shepherd began to make out a multitude of voices, a choir. They couldn't make out the words of the song, but the song itself was pure joy.

Suddenly the field was washed in brilliant light, making it seem as noon day. A solitary man stood before them twenty feet in the air. He wore flowing robes of the purest white. He seemed to shine with an inner radiance.

The shepherds knew they were in the presence of great power. They feared destruction. They quivered as thoughts of what this great being could do to them ran through their minds. Isaac vaguely considered falling to his knees in worship.

The angel gestured, taking in the four shepherds and said, “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 unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Before the shepherds could think to move, a choir the likes of which they had never seen appeared in the sky around the angel. The choir seemed to stretch to the stars themselves, as if every person who had ever lived and ever would live were there singing. The music they had heard earlier now was strong and clear. Rapture filled the men as they now understood the words of the song; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Slowly the light gathered into the choir until it seemed all the light in the world was contained in them. There appeared above the choir an opening, through which they ascended. When they had all gone the shepherds remained unmoving and stunned.

After a long while, Jacob picked up his things. He went to the pen and opened the gate. "Come", he said softly. As he walked away his sheep followed him toward Bethlehem.

One by one, the other shepherds gathered the flocks and followed Jacob to the city. The flocks, usually noisy, were strangely subdued, as if they too knew that something of great import had occurred.

They walked unerringly to a cave used as a family stable. Inside was a silent crowd gathered around a small bed, upon which lay a woman cradling an infant.

Jacob fell to his knees at the sight and said, "Glory to God."

"Glory to God," echoed the other three also kneeling. Unspeakable peace and hope such as they had never known filled their hearts.