It is only in Luke's Gospel that the account of the annunciation to the shepherds is to be found:
In the fields near Bethlehem certain shepherds were watching their flocks. On the night when Christ was born, "...lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will to men." (Luke 2:9ff)
(Reproduction of The Annunciation to the Shepherds courtesy the Web Gallery of Art)
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