Jeremiah sat by the flickering fire on a hillside in Judea. He was spending the night in the fields, helping his older brothers watch over the sheep. Jeremiah loved nights like this.

His older brothers, David and Micah, had built a huge fire to scare away wild animals. Now they sat by the fire with the other shepherds.

Jeremiah's family worshiped the God of their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. David and Micah often talked about the promises the Lord had made to the people of Israel.

“Someday God will send us a King,” David said.

“He will be our Messiah,” Micah added.

Jeremiah wanted to say something, but he was too shy. He wondered what a king would look like. Would He be powerful and mighty and live in a palace? One thing Jeremiah knew for sure-the King would be brave.

Jeremiah looked into the darkness and shivered, thinking about the huge animals that could be hiding there.

Jeremiah wrapped himself tightly in a blanket and snuggled close to David. His eyes became heavy, and soon he was sound asleep.

He woke suddenly. The sky was ablaze with a brilliant light! A heavenly being was at the center of the dazzling sky. Jeremiah shook with fear as the shepherds dropped to the ground.

The angel's voice rolled like thunder across the hills. “Do not be afraid,” he spoke. “I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a large group of angels surrounded them, singing, “May glory be given to God in the highest heaven! And may peace be given to those he is pleased with on earth!”

As quickly as they came, the angels vanished. David spoke first. “We have seen angels speak to us. What do you make of this, my brothers?”

The shepherds began talking at once. “Glory to God!” they said.

“And what do you say, Jeremiah?” David asked.

Jeremiah stood first on one foot and then the other. He wanted to answer. He wanted to praise God, too. But when he tried to speak, no words came out. David ruffled Jeremiah's hair.

Glory, glory, glory, Jeremiah said in his mind, but still no sound.

“Don't worry, Jeremiah,” Micah said. “You've seen a miraculous thing tonight. Your voice will return.”

“Let's go to Bethlehem!” David said.

The shepherds set off for town. Though Jeremiah felt safe with his brothers, he secretly hoped they wouldn't see another heavenly being. Jeremiah swallowed hard. I won't be afraid, he thought.

The manger wasn't hard to find. A bright star gleamed above an animal shelter carved into the hillside. David and the others rushed inside, but Jeremiah stayed behind. He felt very small. How could a King be born in a cave? he wondered.

Gathering his courage, Jeremiah tiptoed into the shelter. A manger filled with straw held the tiniest human Jeremiah had ever seen. Is that the King? he wondered.

The Baby woke and stretched His arms. He looked right at Jeremiah. Jeremiah reached out and touched the Baby's tiny hand. When the Baby took hold of one of Jeremiah's fingers, joy spread over him like warm honey. All his fears disappeared. Jeremiah laughed out loud.

“Jeremiah,” David said, “what do you do say to a King?”

A huge smile spread across Jeremiah's face as he leaned down and put his mouth next to the Baby's ear.

“Glory,” he whispered. “Glory to God in the highest!”