Annunciation to the shepherds

thumb|The Angel Appearing before the Shepherds (T.B. Read, 1870) The annunciation to the shepherds is an episode in the Nativity of Jesus described in the Bible in Luke 2, in which angels tell a group of shepherds about the birth of Jesus. It is a common subject of Christian art and of Christmas carols. Quotes about Bible Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. [...] So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Gospel of Luke 2:8-12;15-20 NKJV. Others Ma non lungi di là sotto alta rupe | pastorelli a guardar la gregge intesi, | tutta in pio ragionar traean la notte; | quando del ciel dalla serena parte | fragor levossi e splendor nuovo apparve; | e stuol vedeasi su lucente nube | di sembianze celesti alto appressarse, | sorvolitando per gli eterei tratti. | Istupidiro, e le tremanti membra | irrigidì dello spavento il gelo. | Ma voce udir di riconforto e pace | alto sonar: Non trepidate, o buoni, | lungi ogni tema; l'ammirando, e grande | gaudio annunziam, che voi non sol, ma tutti | lieti farà ne' secoli venturi | della terra gli afflitti abitatori. But not far below, beneath a high cliff, shepherds watched over their flock, spending the night in pious conversation; when suddenly, from the clear part of the sky, a loud noise arose and a new light appeared; and a group could be seen approaching high above on a shining cloud, with heavenly features, flying through the ethereal reaches. They were stunned, and their trembling limbs stiffened with fear. But they heard a voice of comfort and peace sounding loudly: Do not be afraid, good people, cast all fear aside; we announce with wonder and great joy that not only you, but all the afflicted inhabitants of the earth will be made happy in the centuries to come. Scipione Capece, Carme genetliaco di Gesù Cristo (Carmen de nativitate Domini), translation into Italian by Urbano Lampredi, ex Porcelliana typographia, Napoli, 1833, p. 29. See also Adoration of the Shepherds Good Shepherd External links Category:Episodes of the life of Jesus