One of my favorite Christmas stories is the immediate annunciation to the lowly shepherds of the birth of the Baby Christ Child. That announcement emphasized the symbolism of Jesus' birth. Whom did the angels tell first? The community's outcasts, including some women working with the wool, who lived in the countryside year-round with dogs & sheep. And Mary welcomed them to visit her New-Born Baby. Only later did the important nobles arrive. The common man came first, & these lovely little illustrations imagine the stunned herders hearing The Good News.
