Luke 2:8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
Suddenly, something extraordinary appears. There are many ‘suddenlies’ in the Bible. You rub your eyes a few times because you’re not quite sure if you are awake or have fallen asleep. You have to wake up your co-workers because nothing like this has ever happened before. You turn to them only to find them already awake and with a puzzled look on their face. You realise that you, too, have a puzzled look on your own face. Knowing that you are awake now gives rise to deep fear. What exactly are you seeing? What is happening? Is this real? You think it’s someone else screaming but realise it’s you. A dignified shepherd of Israel screaming like a little girl. Be honest, we all would! Some of us would probably faint.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Here it is in the Amplified: Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood),
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
