Day Fifteen: The Birth Announcement

Read Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Meanwhile, there were shepherds living out under the open sky guarding their sheep during the night watches.  When suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them!

God chose to visit shepherds, tending sheep destined for sacrifice, with the birth announcement of The Sacrificial Lamb.

The glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds.  This glory was God's splendor, His magnificence, His absolute perfection, and it came with an exterior brightness that was literally terrifying.  Earth knows nothing of the purity and excellence of heaven; hence, frightening...to say the least...is descriptively understandable.  But the reassuring voice of the Lord always calms our fears.  The angel said, don't be in the least bit afraid!  I come with good news of great joy for all people!  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

The Savior (Greek, soter*), Deliverer, Preserver (from the Greek root - sozo**), meaning to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction, to save a suffering one (from perishing) one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health) was born, Christ (the anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of God***) the Lord!

"This will be a sign to you:  You will find the baby wrapped in cloths (swaddled by God, belonging to Him) and lying in a manger."  This news was too good to keep quiet!  SUDDENLY (unexpectedly) a GREAT company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel; a multitude, which comes from the root meaning "to fill."****  So, the sky was filled with this heavenly host!  Try to imagine that...

This heavenly army was praising God and saying, (in fortissimo, i.e. VERY loud) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."  The glory of God reaches to the highest of Highness.  He's Higher than the highest, Greater than the greatest, He is El Elyon, God Most High!  And He came down to bring peace to men on earth.  Peace begins with God and flows from God.  Peace fills heaven because God is in the highest place there.  And peace will fill you and me (daily) when He is on the highest throne of our hearts.  Once that happens, we can begin to experience peace (harmony, security, safety, salvation) with each other, the kind Jesus came to give (John 14:27).

Is peace your experience today?  Or, are you being robbed of the very thing this season is about?

*Greek Strong's #4990, **Greek Strong's #4982, ***Greek Strong's #5547, ****Greek Strong's #4130