An encouraging word for the month.
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”-Luke 2:13-14
Directly after the birth of Jesus, one angel was assigned by God to announce the amazing news of Christ’s birth to a group of shepherds who were nearby in some fields at night. No doubt the shepherds were just doing what they usually did each night - they were looking after their sheep. It was a regular night. But ordinary turned into extraordinary very quickly. The angel appeared with some pretty pertinent info! Now anytime we read of angels appearing in Scripture, it was overwhelming to all who were present. It was flat-out scary! That was certainly the case some 2000 years ago when this grand announcement was brought by the angel. We know from Scripture that the angel then spoke with comfort, joy, and exuberance that evening stating, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David” (Luke 2:10-11). Wouldn't it be cool to jump in a time machine and just witness that special moment the angel shared the message of Good News? But it even gets better!
The Bible tells us in Luke 2:13-14 that suddenly it went from one angel to the appearance of an army of angels, a vast host, likely thousands of angels suddenly appeared. Wowsers! Ponder it! Think of the dark field suddenly so lit up. What an encounter! Not only would the sight of the armies of heaven have been completely overwhelming, but then something more happens. The thousands of angels started praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” We can only try to imagine the sounds, the heavenly choir, the angelic praise that came from the mouth of all those angels. It must have been just fantastic! And even more wonderful than their appearance and voices, they brought the message of God’s glory, of His peace offered to all who would receive. Truly astounding and beautiful.
This Christmas, may we hear afresh the message the angels brought. Jesus has come! God indeed deserves all glory! For Jesus is The Savior, King, Lord, The Way, The Truth, and The Life…Jesus is, as He put it in Revelation 22:13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” May we pause and praise Him again with all we are, for He alone deserves it! And may we not forget the peace that He alone brings to our souls. Jesus powerfully put it this way: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). All praise belongs to Jesus! All true peace is found in Jesus. This really is Good News that brings great joy!
Merry Christmas, friends!
-Scott