Three shepherds were in a field near the city of Bethlehem one night. They were taking care of–or shepherding–their sheep. Then, one of God’s angels came to the shepherds in the field.

The shepherds were scared at first. But the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I have something good to tell you!" Next, the angel said, "Today a Savior has been born." The shepherds knew that the Savior he meant was Jesus Christ, the Lord.

The angel told the shepherds that they could see the baby Jesus. He would be wrapped in cloths and sleeping in a box called a manger.

After the angel said this, lots of angels came to his side. They thanked God for letting His Son Jesus be born. All the angels soon left the three shepherds to go back to heaven.

Then the shepherds said, "Let’s go see Baby Jesus." They went quickly to the place that God’s angel had told them to go. There they saw Mary (Baby Jesus’ mother). With Mary was her husband Joseph. Next to Mary and Joseph was Baby Jesus; He was sleeping in the manger just as the angel said He would be.

When the shepherds saw Baby Jesus there, they told everyone what the angel told them: "Jesus will be the Savior for all people!" Everyone who heard the shepherds wondered what that meant. They did not understand. But Mary understood, and she knew that Jesus was the best gift she could ever get.

The three shepherds went back to their field. On their way back, they thanked God for all they had seen.

Memory Verse:
"The Savior . . . has been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:11)

Remember Rhyme

Three shepherds in a field,

Were taking care of sheep.

Even though it was night,

The shepherds did not sleep.

Then an angel appeared

With something good to say

He told them, "Do not fear,"

"The Savior is born today!"

The shepherds went to see

Baby Jesus right away

They found Him sleeping

In the manger where He lay.

Jesus’ mother Mary

Heard the shepherds say,

"Jesus is the Savior

Who is born today."

The shepherds thanked God

For all that He had done

In giving them the gift

Of His one and only Son.

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