Tuesday, December 19, 2023

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks



"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the
 shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem
and see this saying that has come to pass, which the Lord
has made known to us."
(Luke 2:15)


The Annunciation To The Shepherds
(1895)
Henry Ossawa Tanner
(1859-1937)
 American painter


While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

all seated on the ground

an angel of the Lord came down,

and glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he for mighty dread

had seized their troubled minds,

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring

to you and all mankind.

To you, in David's town, this day

is born of David's line

a Savior Who is Christ the Lord;

and this shall be a sign:

The heavenly Babe you there shall find

to human view displayed,

all simply wrapped in swaddling clothes

and in a manger laid."

Thus spoke the angel.

Suddenly appeared a throng of angels

praising God, who thus addressed

their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high

and to the earth be peace;

to those on whom His favor rests

goodwill shall never cease."



"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks"
(1700)
Nahum Tate
(1652-1715)
Anglo-Irish poet, hymnist, and lyricist
who became British Poet Laureate in 1692.



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