360

THE SHEPHERDS.

— CCXL.

J HE PHEPHERDS. |

res BA (HERE were some fields
not very far from Bethle-

S hem and in these fields
| were shepherds, keeping
watch over their flocks on

that wonderful night when Jesus
Christ was born. We may believe
that these shepherds were good
men; and that as they sat together
in the long night, they often spoke
to one another of holy and heavenly
things. They knew that Jesus was
coming into the world, and they
were waiting and wishing to see
Him. Perhaps they had heard of
the angel’s message to Mary, and
knew that the time of His coming
was now very near. :
While the shepherds were think-
ing about these things, they saw a
bright light shining around them.
Was it the light of the moon?
No; it was much brighter than the
moon, or even than the sun; “an
angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them, and they were
sore afraid.” But the angel spoke
gently to them, and said, “Fear not;
for 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 Saviour, 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.” And while the
shepherds were attending to this
wonderful message, they saw, with

the angel, a great multitude of the
heavenly host; and these angels all
began to sing a song of praise to
God ; and the shepherds heard
them. What was this song? “ Glo.
ry to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will to men.”
Then the angels went away into
Heaven, and the shepherds saw them
no more.

Why did the angels sing this
song? Why did they sing of peace
on earth and good will to men?
Because Jesus was come. He is
our peace. Heis called the “ Prince
of peace,” because he came to bring
peace upon theearth. If Jesus had
not come, we could never have had
peace with God; His anger would
always have been upon us. But
when Jesus promised to bear the
punishment of our sins, and to
take them all away, then God could
smile upon this earth again; then
He could accept all who believed in
Jesus, and be at peace with them
for His dear Son’s sake. “ There-
fore, being justified by faith, we
have peace with God, through our
Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. v. 1.
And God can now show His “good-
will to man.” He wishes all to be
saved. It is not the will of our
heavenly Father, that one poor sin-
ner should perish. He invites all
to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.
This was why the angels praised

God, and sang of “peace on earth,

good will to men.” -