Song Meaning
The scene opens with shepherds in conversation, their words a call to action: "let us go over to Bethlehem." They are driven by a divine revelation, a desire to witness "this word which has come to pass, which the Lord has shown us." This sets a tone of urgent, divinely-guided movement towards a specific, miraculous event.
The core of the narrative is the shepherds' swift arrival and their encounter with the Holy Family. They find Mary, Joseph, and the infant laid in a manger, a tableau of humble beginnings. Upon seeing the child, they immediately share the "word which was spoken to them about this child," acting as messengers of this extraordinary news.
The lyrics highlight the ripple effect of this revelation. Those who hear the shepherds' account are filled with wonder, marveling at the message itself. Meanwhile, Mary's reaction is one of quiet contemplation; she "kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." This contrast between outward proclamation and inward reflection underscores the profound, almost overwhelming nature of the event.
This passage is effective because it captures a moment of pure, unadulterated awe. The directness of the shepherds' actions and the immediate spread of the news, met with universal amazement, creates a powerful sense of shared wonder. Mary's silent processing adds a layer of depth, suggesting a personal, deeply felt engagement with the divine mystery unfolding before her.
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