Now, suddenly, a band of incredulous shepherds shows up, unannounced. Yes, Mary was worshiping Emmanuel, as the rest of the pictures are careful to note. But Champaigne registers her focus on this unexpected intrusion that all but declares, "Your lives will never be the same." Now, I wish I had gathered the handful of images which show her noticing the shepherds, and put them together at the end.
It is a beautiful painting. Love the protective arm of Mary around her baby, Joseph pointing Jesus to the astonished shepherds, the poor sacrificial lamb with its feet tied (presage of the future sacrifice of the Christ?). The “private” event is no more, the story is now unfolding according to prophecy.