As their fears are dispelled, joy takes the place of astonishment and terror. They could not, at first, bear the radiance of glory, which attended the whole heavenly host, to break upon them suddenly. One angel only appears to the gaze of the watching shepherds to dissipate their fears, and make known their mission. As the light of the angel encircles them, the glory rests upon them, and they are strengthened to endure the greater light and glory attending the myriads of heavenly angels (The Spirit of Prophecy 2:17, 18).{5BC 1115.8}

Idet deres frygt blev jaget på flugt, tog glæden stedet for forbavselse og rædsel. For det første kunne de ikke bære herlighedens stråleglans, som fulgte med hele himmelhæren, der pludselig brød ind over dem. En engel træder kun frem for at se om hyrderne fordriver deres frygt, og bekendtgør deres mission. Idet englenes lys kredser sig om den, hviler herligheden over dem, og de styrkes til at udstå det større lys og herlighed der følger med myriader af himmelske engle. (2SP 17, 18).