According to the Gospel of Saint Luke after the birth of Christ shepherds who were attending their flocks were approached by an angel of the Lord 'whose glory shone upon them'.
'And the angel said to them "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord"' (Luke 2: 8-14).
The angel then told the shepherds where they could find the Christ Child and a heavenly host sang the praises of God. The annunciation to the shepherds is often depicted in the background of a Nativity scene and sometimes in the background of the Adoration of the Kings and the Adoration of the Shepherds.
