That first Christmas so long ago an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to a group of shepherds who were tending their sheep on the hillsides near Bethlehem. Later this angel was joined by a multitude of angels in a rapturous anthem.
On Christmas Eve I will be preaching on the actions and attitudes of the shepherds, those to whom the angel appeared. But, in my reflections and preparations, I noticed something startling about the proclamation(s) of the angel(s). I share these with you as my Christmas greeting.
First, the angel of the Lord quieted the hearts of these fear-filled men, and then spoke these words to them: "do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12 NASB). This was the strong message of the First Advent. A Savior had come! One had arrived on the world scene who would take upon Himself the only way that sinful man could be successfully reconciled to a holy God. The message encompassed an announcement of a manger (immediate) and of a cross (future: Savior - the term itself implied a sacrifice). That angelic proclamation is still the message of Christmas now two millennias removed. Jesus was born to die so that you and I might live. It is the message that should quiet our fearful hearts.
Then the angel was joined by a multitude of other angels who, in turn, proclaimed another anthem: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14 NASB). Although this angelic anthem has become such an integral part of the Christmas story, I would like to believe that the message this angelic host proclaimed was not centered on the First Advent but the Second. Jesus Christ did not come to bring peace on earth. He Himself said that He came to bring the sword. But the day is coming when His peace will be upon men with whom He is pleased. It will be that day when He returns to reign from the throne of His father, David, in the city of the great King, Jerusalem.
So, friends, the entire story of Christ is presented to the shepherds that first Christmas so long ago. Did those shepherds truly understand the entire story? I am not convinced they did. But they believed enough that they were convinced and then eagerly told others about what they had heard and seen. Their example should become our passion.
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Listen carefully to the message of the angels and you will hear them say, "He is coming soon!" Amen!
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Those shepherds had to work 7 days a week, a sin punishable by death to just about everyone else in that ancient Jewish society. How wonderful it was that God sent the angels to the lowest of the low to proclaim the coming of the Messiah.
Merry Christmas!
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