"Brighter than a centurion's breast plate" said Josh pointing at the sunset as he and Ben ambled down the hill to the gathering shepherds. Ben was his nephew, sent down from Nazareth for some trouble or other. During the day they ranged across the land but in the winter they gathered at dusk to share the warmth of companionship, a meal and a fire.

"It's going to be a cold one." Naz greeted the new arrivals. "True, crystal clear and already the stars are up." Josh's breath confirmed the cold momentarily obscuring the millions of tiny lights above.

The pot was bubbling on the fire and the group moved closer. Bread was passed around and for a while they were all silent as they dipped and slurped the hot stew. A mist started to form and it rolled down the slope cutting them off from the world but above all was clear and the heavens were as bright as ever.

"By my reckoning Bethlehem is only an hour away." Old Aaron new the land like the back of his hand. "What's it to be, a game or a stroll?"

"It's too misty for a game," said Josh.

"The pub it is then." They chorused. Ben was clearly delighted at the prospect.

"We'll never find it in this mist" wailed Dan, always the pessimist.

"I don't know," Aaron stood up, "its due east, the moon will give us a steer. My god, look at that!" They all scrambled to their feet and saw a brilliant glow with silver halo, low on the horizon where the mist touched the sky. "There you go, if that's not a beacon then I'm no shepherd."

They drew lots. Two had to stay behind to tend the flocks and the fire. The lucky four set off and within an hour they were on the outskirts of the city. The hazy glow had led them directly to a large inn. A great throng seemed to be coming and going and the shepherds had to push and shove to get inside.

"Sorry chaps," the landlord looked frazzled, "Even had to put a couple in the stable, desperate they was, but that's the last, we're full."

"Just a pitcher of wine and four glasses," said Dan. "We don't need no rooms." added Ben, cocky as ever.

"Desperate they was, she being pregnant and all." The landlord served their wine. They took it by the fire but Aaron stayed talking to the landlord and others at the bar.

Presently he joined the group. "Hey Ben, you might know them, Mary and Joseph from your village. Due any minute they reckon."

Ben leaped up. "Just remembered, I promised to watch with old Zac, he's been having visions out on the hills, shouldn't have left him." and he was gone.

"Well I don't know as them wise men is right," laughed Aaron. "They reckon it's a virgin birth. I'm not so sure. What say we take a look in the stable?"