The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-12-26
tbs SHEPHERDS CHRISTMAS VIGIL
..<ilory to God in the Highest, and on Earth
Peace, Goodwill Towards Ien."

bv a iackal's cry far off on the noun
tain side The midnight was slow
coming to him; but at last 1t came.
His taS k was done; now for the dream
less sleep with which labor blesses It's
wearied children. He moved towards
the fire. but paused; Il light was break
inc around him, soft and white, Like
the moons. He waited breathlessly.
The light deepened: things before IN
| visible came to view; he saw the whole
field. and all it sheltered \ chill
| sharper than that of the frosty ara
chill of fear-smote him. He looked
up; the stars were gone; the light
dropping as from a window III the
| sky; as he looked, it became splen-
dor: then, in terror, he cried,
Awake, awake
Up sprang the dogs, and, howllng.
ran away.
The herds rushed together bewil-
| dered.
The men clambered to their feet,
| weapons in hand.
"iVhat is it!" they asked, in one
voice
See" cried the watchman, the
sky is on fire.
Suddenly the light became intolera-
bly, bright, and they covered their
eyes, and dropped upon their knees;
then, as their souls shrank with tear.
they fell upon their faces blind and
fainting. and would have died had not
voice said to them,
Fear not
And they listened.
Fear not; for behold, bring you
good tidings Of great JOY, which shall
be to all people"
The voice, in nsweetness and soothing
more than human, and low and clear,
penetrated all their being, and filed
them with assurance. They rose upon
their knees. and, looking worshlpfully
beheld in the centre of a great glory
the appearance of man, clad ina robe
intensely white: above its shoulders
lowered the tops of wings shining and
folded: star over its forehead glowed
| with steady lustre, brilliant as Hesper-
US; its hands We're stretched towards
them in blessing; its face was serene
and divinely beautiful.
They had often heard, and, in their
simple way, talked of angels: and
they doubted not now, but said, in
their hearts, The glory Of Gods about
us, and this is he who of old came to
the prophet by the river Of Ulai.
| Directly the angel continued:
For unto you is born this day. IN
the city Of David, a Saviour, which IS
Christ the Lord"
Again there was a rest, while the
words sank into their minds.
And this shall be a sign unto you.
the annunciator said next. ''Ie shall
find the babe, wrapped in swaddling-
| clothes, lying in a manger.
| The herald spoke not again; his
good tidings We're told; yet he stayed
awhile. Suddenly the light, of which
he seemed the centre, turned roseate
and began to tremble; then up, far as
the men could see, there was flashing
| of white wings, and coming and going
| of radiant forms, and voices as of a
multitude chanting in unison.
GLORY to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, goodwill towards
men,.
Not once the praise, but many
times.
Then the herald raised his eyes as
seeking approval of one far off; his
wings stirred, and spread slowly and
majestically, on their upper sidewhite
as snow. in the shadow vari-tinted,
like mother-o pearl; when they were
expanded many cubits beyond his stat
ure, he arose lightly, and without ef-
fort, foated out of view, taking the
light up with him. Long after he was
gone, down from the sky fell the re-
frain in measure mellowed by distance,
GLORY to God in the highest, and on
earth peace. goodwill towards men. "
When the shepards came fully to
their senses, they stared at each other
stupidity, until one of them said, 1t
was Gaberiel, the Lords messenger
unto men.
| None answered.
Christ the Lord is born; said he
not so?'
Then another creovered his voice,
and replied. That is what he said.
And did he not also say, in the
city of David, which is our Bethlehem
yonder. And that we should find
him babe in swaddling-clothes::@
"And lyingin a manger."
The first speaker gazed into the fire
thoughtfully, but at length said, like
one possessed of sudden resolve,
There is but one place in Bethlehem
where there are managers; bnt one.
and that is in the cave near the old
khan. Brethren. slet us go see this
thing which has come to pass. The
priests and doctors have been long
time looking for Christ. Now he IS
born. and the Lord has given usa sign
by which to know him. Let us go up
and worship him"
But the fiocks,,'
The Lord will take care of them.
| Letus make haste.
Then they all arose and left the
marah.
Around the mountain and through
the town they passed, and came to the
| gate of the khan, where there was a
man on the watch.
What would you have" he asked
Eve have seen and heard great
things tonight, they replied.
We'll. we, too, have seen great
things, but heard nothing. What did
you hear:@
Let us. go down to the cave in the
enclosure that we may be sure; then
we Will tell you all Come with lis.
and sec for yourself.
1T IS a fools errand.
No, theChrist is born.
The Christ. How do YOU know
Let US 90 and see first.
The man laughed scornfully.
The Christ indeed. How are you
| to know him.