How it works
The Bible tells us about shepherds who lived in the grassy hills near Bethlehem. They stayed out all night, taking turns to watch their sheep.
All at once the whole sky filled with a bright, warm light, and a messenger from God stood near them. The shepherds were afraid, but the messenger told them not to fear.
He said the king God promised was born tonight in Bethlehem. The sign was a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger. Then the sky filled with angels, singing of peace for all.
The shepherds hurried down the hill and found the baby, just as they were told. They knelt by the manger, then told everyone, and went back to their sheep.
Worked examples
A night under the stars
- Sit close together with one small light.
- The shepherds sat close, with a little fire, while the stars twinkled.
- Look up and name what you can see: the stars, the moon, a cloud.
Tiptoe and kneel
- Tiptoe across the room, very quietly.
- A soft light shone from a stable door, and the shepherds tiptoed in.
- Kneel down quietly, as they did by the manger.