GOP Gospel: The Shepherds and the Angels

Day 7 of my Lent project. For background, please read this.

A reading from the Gospel according to the GOP:

In that region there were many merchants and officials and travellers from distant lands, conducting the trade and administration of the Empire. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." And the angel gave them a vision of the child with his mother and father, bathed in the light of love. Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace amongst those who come together to worship him."*

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the traders and officials said to one another, "Truly this is an uncommon thing that has just happened, but we all saw the same thing and we are rational people, so it must be true. Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this child and his family." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child in their modest but comfortable accommodation. Being upstanding and prosperous members of society, they prevailed upon the innkeeper to upgrade the family's room to something befitting their honour, and paid the difference in honour of the Lord. Then they continued on their respective travels and made known what had been told them about this child; all who heard it were amazed at what the traders and officials told them, but felt the truth in their hearts because these were reputable individuals, and many went to see for themselves, and brought blessings to the city of David. Mary received many visitors and their gifts with gladness, and treasured them in her heart, for they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen.

( Luke 2:8-20 )