only shepherds and sheep were present to hear it. The encircling hills
were the grand amphitheater in which it was rendered, the grassy slopes
were the only seats, and there were no tickets of admission, but, like
the gospel itself, it was given without money and without price. Musical
artists are often sensitive and critical and exclusive people, chary of
a free exercise of their gifts and particular as to their audience, but
angels will sing for anybody.

The simple-minded shepherds were sore afraid at this outburst of
heavenly music, as wiser people would have been. An angel voice sang the
solo:

Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy
which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you 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 a babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, and lying in a manger.

"Be not afraid!" Sin has wrought such disorder in this world that the
thought of spirit visitors frightens us and heaven itself must not come
too near. There are great reasons for fear in this darkened world, but
the coming of Jesus into it is not one of them. His only mission is to
release us from the bondage and bitterness of sin and let us out into
the glorious liberty and joy of the sons of God. And Christ has in a
marvelous degree cast fear out of the world and poured joy through all
its channels, as the sun disperses the night and spills its splendor
over hills and vales.

The good tidings announced the birth of a Saviour, and this is the best
news this sin-stricken world can hear, for sin is the root of all our