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.
Luke 2:15-16
First the blinding light, then the radiant angel, then an entire legion of angels singing out their joy at the birth of the Messiah. The light recedes, the darkness returns, but the wonder and joy in the hearts of the shepherds is nigh to overflowing. Securing their flocks, they rush to Bethlehem to find the stable and the newborn King.
Imagine Joseph and Mary's surprise when this motley crew stumbles into their humble accomodations. Their occupation would have been obvious from the clothing they wore, but their purpose in coming to the stable may not have been immediately obvious. I've often wondered, did Mary and Joseph hear the angels singing in the starry heavens? Did they see the brilliance? Or did they learn of the angel chorus from the shepherds? Either way, it appears that Jesus' parents graciously welcomed the curious shepherds, and the Bible records that after a time, they left the manger and spread the news of what they had seen throughout the countryside.
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