"Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"
"I do".
"Please state your name, where you presently reside and your occupation." "My name is Jacob. I live in the region of Judea near the city of Bethlehem and I'm a shepherd."
"Thank you Jacob. Now in your own words, why don't you tell us exactly what you saw and heard on the night in question."
"Okay. Several of us shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem keeping watch over the herds of sheep just like we always do this time of year. It was late at night, and as usual, we took turns sleeping and keeping watch. It can be dangerous out there for the sheep because of the wolfs, mountain lions and other predators. And, every now and then, one of the younger sheep will just decide to wander off on it's own. Sheep are not the smartest animals you know and often foolishly want to go there own way. Kinda like some people."
"Then what happened?"
"Well, we were just sitting there around our fire quietly talking and trying to keep warm. Like I said, it was late at night. All of sudden and out of nowhere, a man, at least he looked like a man, stood before us. But this was obviously no ordinary man! He was some kind of an angel of the Lord because we could see the very glory of the Lord shining all around us. Not much scares me, but I guess you can understand that we were all terribly frightened."
"What did you do? Did this man or angel say anything?"
"Well, we all quickly stood-up and picked-up our clubs. We really didn't know if we should run away or get ready to fight. Thankfully the angel spoke to us and calmed us down. He said, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." "As soon as the angel spoke, there suddenly appeared a multitude of other angels all around us praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!"
"I can only imagine how startled and frightened you men must have been. What happened next?"
"We just stood there awestruck in amazement. After a little while, the angels disappear right up into heaven. After the angels were gone, we decided to go right to Bethlehem to see for ourselves what the Lord had made known to us. When we got there, we found Mary and her husband Joseph in a stable outside of the Inn and we told them what the angel had said to us. The baby Jesus was laying in a manger. They said that there was no room for them in the Inn because of all the people who had traveled to Bethlehem for the census.
"What a humble beginning for the future King of the Jews!"
"Yes, I guess it was. But since that night and every day thereafter we have been praising God for all we heard and saw and telling everyone who will listen about that amazing night and the birth of the promised Messiah, and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!"
"Thank you for your clear testimony Jacob. Hopefully, like Jesus' mother Mary, we will all continue to treasure all these things that happened night and forever ponder them in our hearts!"
Merry Christmas to you all and Maranatha!