Chapter Nine
Hananiah led them towards another camp. "Family, there are some shepherds ahead." They approached the tent. "Shalom, shepherds."
"Shalom," greeted the shepherds.
Hananiah gathered their group at the fence. A tent was in the left of the scene, and three shepherds stood around a campfire. A pin of sheep was in the right of the scene. Ruth stood at the fence by the tent while Hananiah stood at the fence by the sheep pin.
"May God's peace be with you," said Hananiah.
"And with you, too," said the first shepherd. "You look like weary travelers. It is very late for you to be out on this cold night. Come and warm yourselves by the fire. You must be cold."
"Yes, we are cold," said Hananiah. "We have traveled all the way from Nazareth, and we are anxious to get to Bethlehem. Can you tell us how far it is?"
"Oh, you are very close," said the second shepherd. "It is the next village."
"Have you seen a young couple traveling this way?" asked Ruth. "They are our friends, and she is great with child."
"Oh, yes," said the third shepherd. "You just missed them. They came by here earlier."
"Oh, we missed Joseph and Mary," said Ruth.
"Why not stop and rest awhile and tell us about your travels," said the first shepherds.
"That is kind of you," said Ruth. "We have seen Magi! And they told us the coming of our Messiah may be soon!"
"Brothers, the Magi are following a special star, which they believe is a sign that our Messiah is coming soon!"
"Praise God!" yelled the shepherds. "Hallelujah!"
"Praise Jehovah!" yelled Hananiah.
"Praise God!" yelled Ruth.
A light appeared some fifty yards away in the trees, lighting up a group of nine angels. Eight of them were grouped at the left and a lone angel stood in front of a pair of wings.
"Angels!" called Hananiah, kneeling where he stood. Ruth also knelt as the shepherds did the same.
Several kids shouted out in surprise as they pointed at the angels.
"Do not be afraid," greeted the winged angel. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
"Glory to God in the highest!" said a second angel.
"And on earth, peace," said a third angel.
"Good will towards men," said a fourth angel.
All the angels began singing. "Gloria…in excelsis Deo. Gloria…in excelsis Deo."
The light disappeared, and the shepherds jumped to their feet as the guides did the same. A shepherd rushed out of the woods behind the scene, a smile on his face.
"Brothers!" yelled the shepherd. "Brothers! Did you see the angels? Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about!"
All the shepherds ran into the woods quickly.
"Praise God!" yelled the guides.
"Family, we have seen a miracle tonight!" yelled Hananiah. "Angels of God! Did you hear what they said? Did you hear what they said? Let us go to Bethlehem and find this child, our Messiah that has been born!"
Hananiah rushed further along the trail. "Come, family! Let us hurry!" He grabbed the arms of several group members, hurrying them all towards a giant white tent that filled a field.