One of my favorite Christmas passages is Luke 2:8-21 where an angel and a multitude of the heavenly host appear to a group of shepherds with the news of Jesus' birth.
It is so unexpected. All of history has been moving toward this moment. God has orchestrated everything to make this moment the "fullness of time." I would expect God to announce this moment to the kings of the world. Or, at least to a powerful army. But no, the Father reveals His joy in the birth of His Son to a group of nobodies. This is so much like our God.
Who knows in what other ways the Father communicated His delight in this moment? Perhaps the dolphins did flips, twirls, and twists at the command of the Father. Who knows what the song of the birds in the darkest jungle sounded like?
The only recorded expression of the Father's delight in the birth of the Son comes to smelly shepherds. Can you imagine the party that was rocking heaven at this moment? Can you imagine the jubilation around The Throne? The time had finally arrived.
I think what is happening in Luke 2 is just a little of the party spilling over into the earthly realm. This angel, and this heavenly host get the honor of announcing the birth of the Savior. And, they don't miss their moment.
"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
2 comments:
That's the text I preached last night at the nursing home. It's a fantastic text!
I do love this!
Hungry to eat His Word,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion
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