And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12

When we sing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” or “Angels We Have Heard on High” I imagine we all have images of how an angel appears, but in every instance I read, Angels struck fear in the hearts of those who saw them and so the idea of a soft and cuddly “cupid” doesn’t seem to line up.

I am reminded of the angels who were revealed to Elisha’s servant as God opened the servants eyes to see into the spiritual realm so he could see the heavenly army of chariots of fire all around. (2 Kings 6:17).

I am sure the angel who appeared to the shepherds was equally impressive because the first words spoken by the angel was “Do not be afraid.”

Once they gathered the wits, the shepherds were the first to receive the “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” And after they came to the manger and saw the newborn Christ exactly as described by the angels, they were the first to go and tell others the good news.

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:17-18).

Once we see the Savior for ourselves, doesn’t it make sense that we would respond with telling others?