Some nomads were warming themselves around the fire, which they lighted in a dark night on the hill of Bethlehem, while their sheep grazed under the open sky. The shepherds chatted and passed the time with conversation that drifted from one topic to another. They talked about their town, which became overcrowded with those people who came from everywhere to be registered with their families in the official count of population. The shepherds saw many of their friends and neighbors who came to this town with many others. Some of the shepherds began to curse the Roman occupation and wish for the coming of the Savior. Then one of them took the rebec and played expressing his longing for the forthcoming Christ.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared in the midst of them as a flash of lightening, making the night as bright as day. His rays pierced their hearts, and they were exceedingly afraid and frightened. Their mouths became dry, and their sins became apparent before them. They were convicted by their conscience for their thefts, lies, impurities, and all unfairness, thinking it was the Day of Judgment.
But a gentle voice went out of the fullness of the shining light saying, "Do not be afraid." Undoubtedly, the shepherds were, as other humans, thieves in proportion to God’s holiness. However, the Most Generous Benefactor was not determined to destroy them as they thought, but to save them. The angel did not only bring them joyful news, but also furnished them with abundant matter for joy, that is the great joy of God. All true believers swim in the sea of joy for they received the good tidings of salvation from the merciful Creator. God loves, delivers, and helps us. Hence, darkness disappears and distress ends.
To evangelize is to preach the gospel of victory and to bring the good tidings of the divine peace, the performances of the power of the Holy Spirit, and the presence of Christ. Do you bring good or bad tidings? Do you cause, in the name of God, comfort, hope, and spiritual revival? Or do you break your friends with the burden of laws and ordinances, which neither they nor you can observe?
Christ was born for all of us. The eternal Holy One is no more a far revengeful Judge. He offered himself unconditionally though we are sinful. The love of God surpasses our understanding. Believe in the angel’s good tidings, for Christ was born for you as well. God himself offers himself to you.
The word "today" which the angel said to the shepherds put to them a decisive limit in the history of mankind. It means to us the coming of divinity into our life, i.e. the second birth, for when man is drawn into the sea of God’s love, a new life begins in him. Was Christ born for you today? Did you accept God’s present for the great feast? Do you still live with no aim or meaning in life? The Savior is born for you today. Believe, realize, and worship, holding fast your divine right.
The angel described to the frightened shepherds in exact terms the meaning of the Son of God’s coming to men:

Christ, the Savior is the Lord himself who created the world. He is the Ruler who has control over the history of mankind, the One who made the covenant in the Old Testament, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father reigning with him in the union of the Holy Spirit and blessing us with the fullness of blessings in heaven. Did you realize the meaning of Christ’s birth? The righteous Holy One is love. He loves you and intends to dwell in you to continue in you so that you may become a divine man, full of the spirit of love, and that you may embody the words said by a preacher: "If Christ was born thousand times in Bethlehem and not in you, then you would remain reprobate forever."