For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:11-15 NKJV
Angelic Visitation
In keeping with the perspective of common people God inspired Luke to write about, we learn about common, lowly shepherds being given privileged information. To them is proclaimed the fulfillment of prophecy- The Anointed One, The Christ, is here! The Savior, promised by God and his prophets many years ago, is here! This announcement must have confused them. They knew the Christ would be from the line of David, so the city of David made sense. But why is a baby the sign? Could the Anointed One be a baby, lying in a feeding trough, a manger?
Yes, it is all true! The proclamation of glory and peace by the angels confirmed the wonderful truth! I can imagine the emotion, joy and fear, anticipation and exhilaration. The Savior they and their ancestors looked for was born!
Glory and Peace
The one angel now becomes a host of angels. We know from other narratives in the Bible that there is a heavenly realm of beings that we are usually not allowed to see. But now, these heavenly host are visible and praising God! What a breathtaking sight and holy privilege for these humble, unsuspecting animal caretakers. Their message is about God and men. Glory is given to God as God brings peace to men. Peace to men will come through Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, men and women everywhere can find peace with God. Jesus came to proclaim the Good News, that through him all can have forgiveness and relationship with the Father.
Seeking the Newborn King ?
The shepherds get it now, they understand the joyous meaning of the angelic announcement. Their lives forever changed, they leave the site of revelation to seek out this baby who deserves their praise and worship. The shepherds recognize that the “city of David” is Bethlehem and they set off in great anticipation to find the special newborn baby.
Key Verse
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Luke 2:14
Prayer
Lord, We glorify you and we give you praise! We love you for all you have done for us! Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to bring us peace with you. Help us to never forget the great love that you showed to us before we first loved you. Amen.
Victoria Carrington 