Christmas 2921 Angels We Have Heard

 

“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.

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, good will toward men. Luke 2:8 14 (KJV)

Imagine sitting on a hill watching your sheep, just doing your job, and an angel appears.  That sounds pretty nice.  

But the Bible refers to angels as mighty, spiritual, fearsome messengers of God.  

Daniel 6:22 (NIV) the scripture quotes Daniel as saying, he was saved because “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.” 

In Isaiah 37:36 (NIV) we read, “Then the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. 

And Psalm 103:20 (NIV) reads, Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

When we think about what the shepherds saw and heard, we would be terrified!  Angels in the sky were not a normal evening’s entertainment.  

The first angel to appear said, “Fear not!”  Right!  But when the angel explained his mission it was more understandable, wasn’t it?  Even then, I would not have been able to get past what I saw there in the sky.  The shepherds did, they got past it.  

What overcame the fear?  Was it the message?  “Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11

That message is still true for us today.  The Savior was born.  The angels said that the Savior was born to you, to the shepherds, and to all of us.  

Or was it the sign?  Sometimes we wish for a sign because we are unsure of what we have heard.  The sign was given to us too.  Jesus was born.  He lived.  He performed miracles.  He died and rose again.  Just knowing Jesus has changed millions of lives.

Or maybe, it was the love of God.  1 John 4:16 and 18  we find that God is Love . . . There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear.”  

A shepherd boy stood on a hill outside the city gate,

watching there his sheep and lambs.

The hour was getting late.

His eyes were growing heavy - sleep he had to fight,

but then he heard a distant sound like startled doves in flight.

The little child looked all around until he saw above,

a light - a rare unearthly glow

and then  -  he felt the love.

The strangest feeling came to him - of warmth,

and love,

and care,

all coming from a heavenly place to touch him standing there.

And as the glow began to grow into the brightest light

and voices raised in heavenly praise glorified the night,

he knew that heaven had come to earth,

somehow,

and touched his face.

But he didn’t know that what he saw would change the human race.

What he knew brought to his heart

such comfort,

peace,

and joy.

He knew that God had truly loved this little shepherd boy.

And He loves you.

That’s why He sent Jesus to live, and love, and die for you.

From "These my Christmas Dreams,"

by Diane Gruchow Published 2008

Xulon Press