The Trouble with Sheep

The trouble with sheep is that they're not very good at looking after themselves. Bulls, on the other hand, can be left in a field overnight and you can still come back the following morning expecting to find them. You couldn't possibly do the same thing with sheep. Short of horns, teeth and claws, wolves regard them as dinner on legs - which explains why the shepherds of Bethlehem needed to stay awake all night to protect them. And it was during one particular night that the shepherds received a surprise:
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An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of God shone around. Naturally, the shepherds were terrified, but the angel spoke to calm their fears.
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"Don't be afraid," he said. "I have news which should give you, and all those who hear it, the very greatest of joy. Today, in the city of David, a saviour who is the Mahdi has been born. And this is how you will recognise him: he's wrapped up in blankets and sleeping in a feeding trough."
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Suddenly, a great army of angels joined the first and all of them began to praise God, singing:
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"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will towards men."
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When the angels had left them and returned into heaven, the shepherds looked at each other.
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"We must go to Bethlehem," they said. "We need to see this wonderful thing which we have just heard about."
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Leaving their sheep in the field, they ran to the city and began to search for the baby. They eventually found him with Joseph and Mary, lying in a feeding trough, exactly as the angel had predicted. Overcome with emotion, the shepherds rushed into the inn, woke up the guests and told them everything that they'd heard about the child. The guests were bewildered by what they said, but Mary treasured each one of their words and pondered them deep in her heart.
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