Praise the LORD! Angels above, praise the LORD from heaven! Praise him, all you angels! Praise him, all his army! Sun and moon, praise him! Stars and lights in the sky, praise him! Praise him, highest heaven! Waters above the sky, praise him! Let them praise the LORD'S name, because he gave the command and created them all! He made all these continue forever. He made the laws that will never end. Everything on earth, praise him! Great sea animals and all the oceans, praise the LORD!

Praise him, fire and hail, snow and clouds, and the stormy winds that obey him. Praise him, mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedar trees. Praise him, wild animals and cattle, reptiles and birds. Praise him, kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all rulers on earth. Praise him, young men and women, old people and children. Praise the LORD'S name! Honor his name forever! His name is greater than any other. He is more glorious than heaven and earth. He made his people strong.

That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. Today your Savior was born in David's town. He is the Messiah, the Lord.

This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box." Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying, "Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him." The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about."