And in the same region

there were shepherds out in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord

                appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord

               shone around them,

and they were filled with fear.

And the angel said to them,

"Fear not,

for behold, I bring you

      good news of great joy

that will be for all the people.

For unto you is born this day

                in the city of David

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby

      wrapped in swaddling cloths

and lying in a manger."

                  Luke 2. 8-12

(And the world

         has never been the same.

For unto you,

           Jesus has come.

The Christmas story

is not just another story,

  but that which is real

and changes everything.

             Even us.)