The Bible describes several different people seeing an angel and the most common response is fear. (Numbers 22:31, Judges 6:22, Dan. 10:7, Matt. 16:5)
These shepherds are no different.
Luke 2:9 KJV — And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
But they experienced something more.
Luke 2:13-14 KJV — And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
These humble shepherds saw and heard a host of angels proclaiming the birth of Jesus.
The gift of God’s Son was so momentous an occasion that a host of angels sang.
Luke 2:20 KJV — And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds glorified God, praising Him.
The praises of those messengers of God and those of the shepherds of long ago stand as an example.
May we join them and together, rejoice in the salvation of the world!
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:8-12 KJV
God announced the birth of Jesus in such a manner as to dispel any confusion.
He sent an angel to tell the shepherds and gave specifics as to how they would know Him.
The angel proclaimed, in detail, who He is: a Savior, Christ the Lord.
It was obvious to the shepherds that responsibility came with this announcement.
They didn’t miss it, but went and found Jesus.
Then they proclaimed all they knew.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18 KJV
We too are privileged with the knowledge of Jesus’s birth.
With that knowledge comes responsibility: we should be seeking Him daily and proclaiming the truth of who He is and what He has done.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your miraculous birth and all the blessings of it. Thank You for the shepherds who were the ones chosen to spread the announcement of Your birth. Lord, thank You for Your Word and the blessings we have in these events being recorded for us. Lord, please help me to be diligent to seek You daily and to live a life which proclaims You. Thank You, Jesus for all You have done and are doing. Thank You for Your love. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
This picture is of the book Child of Promise by Stormie Omartian illustration by Jack Terry.
Christmas!
Today, I want to focus on the choir.
Because no one before or since has been audience to such a choir.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14 NKJV
Nothing the human mind can imagine will ever be able to replicate the praises of the angels.
The mere sight of one angel would be impressive.
Not to mention terrifying (there’s a reason they normally say, ‘Do not fear.’)
But what does a host of angels look like?
What did it sound like?
Heaven.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3 NKJV
The prophet Isaiah got a glimpse into heaven, he recorded both what he had seen and what he heard.
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: Revelation 4:8-10 NKJV
“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:11 NKJV
Both accounts tell us that worship and praise is continually before the throne of God.
How appropriate for a heavenly choir to be at the birth of the Christ.
Although, our abilities to comprehend some things about heaven are limited, this we can both understand and practice.
God is worthy of our praise.
Let us join the choir and worship the king of Kings!
Psalm 100:2 NKJV — Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Psalm 95:1 NKJV — Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Psalm 98:4 NKJV — Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for showing us a tiny glimmer of the wonders of heaven. Lord, thank You for reminding us that the angels praise You continually and so should we. Lord, there is such joy in worship and praise, and I am so thankful to be able to praise Your holy name. Lord Jesus, be magnified this day! Let all those who are called by Your name praise You. Amen!
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 NKJV
Some of God’s most faithful followers have been shepherds.
Abraham, Moses, Israel, and David were all shepherds.
In fact all the sons of Israel were shepherds except Joseph.
The prophet Amos was a shepherd.
Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “I was no prophet, Nor was I a son of a prophet, But I was a sheepbreeder And a tender of sycamore fruit. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’ Amos 7:14-15 NKJV
There’s definitely something about shepherding which seems to draw one to God.
A group of shepherds were about to meet Him face to face.
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:9-12 NKJV
As if this wasn’t enough to get their attention…
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14 NKJV
These nameless men, suddenly became historical giants.
Because they were given a very special gift.
They were invited to see the Babe Who would save the world.
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:15-18 NKJV
Obviously, God knew exactly who He was inviting to the Nativity.
These shepherds didn’t keep quiet about what they’d seen.
They shared the good news “widely”.
This Christmas let us follow their example.
Let us share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
His birth, His life, His death, and His Resurrection!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for choosing these humble shepherds to be the ones to receive the announcement of Your birth as well as spread the good news of Who You are. Lord, I love that You are the Good Shepherd. You have done more for me than I can even comprehend. Lord, thank You! Please help me and my family to share the good news of You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Psalm 23:6a NKJV — Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
People do better with pictures.
We can better understand something if it’s related to something else we already know.
This being the case, we are going to have two angels stand in the place of two of God’s attributes: goodness and mercy.
Because we clearly see throughout Scripture: God is good. He is righteous. (Deu. 32:4, Ezra 9:15, Psalm 116:5, Dan 9:14)
Goodness is simply part of God and without God there is none.
Even Jesus said: “So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.'” Luke 18:19 NKJV
Jesus, God’s Son, therefore is good.
Before the Fall (Gen. 3:6) God and mankind were able to walk together in the Garden. (Gen. 3:8)
But sin changed what had been God’s good creation (Gen. 127), mankind, and placed a barrier between us and God.
God’s goodness simply can’t be with sin.
They will never mix.
That’s where God’s mercy steps in.
God is good. (Psalm 107:8) He is also merciful. (Psalm 103:8, 116:5)
God knew at the Garden He would put into action His rescue plan for mankind.
Genesis 3:15 NKJV — And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
Jesus, the only One ever born only of woman.
Through His sacrifice He rescued us from sin.
How fitting to have a picture of both Goodness and Mercy at the birth of Jesus.
He is both.
Without Him, we have neither.
Luke 2:14 KJV — Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
patientlyhopeful 