Luke 2:8-20

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before^[a] them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.^[b]

10 But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

11 today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough."

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!^{[c] [d] [e]}

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.

17 After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child,

18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things^[f] in her heart and meditating on them.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Lord appeared to
• [b]. Lit they feared a great fear
• [c]. Other mss read earth good will to people
• [d]. Or earth to men of good will
• [e]. Lk 12:51
• [f]. Lit these words