Blessed are the Pure in Heart...

Many years ago on a still and starry night, lowly shepherds were tending their flock in a grassy meadow high above a small village. Only the soft rustling of the wind and the occasional bleating of a lamb interrupted the silence and serenity that blanketed the land.

What the shepherds did not know, indeed, no one knew, was that in the village far below, in a dimly lit stable, a miracle of supreme importance had occurred. It was so significant, in fact, that an angel, encompassed with the dazzling radiance of God’s glory, was sent forth from heaven to declare the extraordinary news.

But the angel did not go, as might have been expected, to the high and the mighty or to the rich and the powerful; instead the angel went to the humble shepherds, the herdsmen who were faithfully watching over their flock by night, high above the village.

Not surprisingly, the sudden appearance of an angel greatly frightened the coarsely dressed and timid shepherds. But the angel, seeing their fear, said to them: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Some might ask: Why were the shepherds, of all people, visited by the angel and the heavenly multitude? Why were these unrefined sheepherders extended so special an invitation to see the Christ child?

This is only a guess, but perhaps God wanted to recognize them as the very epitome of good shepherds, shepherds who faithfully and valiantly look after their flock, whatever the danger to themselves. But He may have seen within them something more, something that truly is rare and exceptional among men.

He may have peered deep into their hearts and saw that they were pure.

Merry Christmas!