The Lukan story of the appearance of the angels to the shepherds is a centerpiece of Christmas Eve.  It may be difficult for us to imagine what those shepherds might have been thinking and desiring when, suddenly, the heavenly host showed up that night, but we can guess that appearance was not anything they might have imagined.  The result was that they left their post and went to see “this thing that had happened.”   This service traditionally ends with the lighting of the Christ candle and the changing of the paraments.  (NOTE:  Although the video begins with the Communion Meditation, once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The video of the entire service is available to watch.)