Suddenly it seemed to each of them that something had passed over him,
and touched him lightly on the cheek. The older men raised themselves
on their elbows, but Dahvid sprang to his feet. At first they saw only
a great light, which nearly blinded them, then they discerned a
shining form in the sky, and heard a voice saying: "Be not afraid; for
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all
the people; for there is born to you this day in the city of David a
Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye
shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
And then all the sky was full of light, and the air was full of
heavenly voices, singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men."
While the shepherds listened, half joyful, half afraid, the light
faded and the voices floated away--"Good will to men--to men--to men,"
and all was still as before. For a moment the shepherds looked at each
other in silent awe and wonder. Then Ezra spoke in a voice dry with
fear. "What was it?"
Dahvid stood speechless, and Samuel answered reverently, "Angels."
"Brothers," he continued, "a wonderful thing has happened to us. It
has been a long, long day since angels have spoken to men."
Then he girded his shepherd's cloak about him and seized his staff.
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