The Angels view of Christmas: Glory to God in Heaven

Last week, we joined the shepherds who were frightened when an angel appeared to them.  But, the angel brought good news that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem and he could be found wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Angels appeared with the news of the Saviors birth

So, let’s join the shepherds again.  Last week, an angel appeared.  Meaning one angel.

But, that angel is about to be joined by many others.

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

A great company of heavenly host appeared.  We are not told how many but a great company implies that it was many.  Whether it was ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred, one thousand or a million is irrelevant.

“The event was too important to be heralded by any one angel. All heaven was interested in the departure of its Prince, and marveled at the grace of the Father who sent him. The Deity is called “God of Sabaoth”; that is, God of hosts or multitude but  at this time God’s army appeared to announce the coming of eternal peace.”  {The Fourfold Gospel: or A Harmony of the Four Gospels.}

A multitude of angels appeared singing praises to God

Imagine how specular a scene this must have been for the shepherds.  They only had the sheep to keep them company.

Television and the internet did not exists at this time.  This was a drama that could only be produced and directed by one person.  The Lord of all, the master creator and designer and the director of all time.

So, what were the angels doing?

They were praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

We are provided with a very small portion of the praise the angels gave to God, but it was more than enough for us.

“It was “good will toward man;” for every thought, word and act of that blessed life was

The shepherds were in awe

the translation of God’s infinite love into forms visible to the mortal eyes that saw him.”  {Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.}

They promised peace to these shepherds.

“God’s goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ’s taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth.”  {Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary}

The shepherds rushed to see the Christ child

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”   {Luke 2:13-15}

The angels left and the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see all the Lord had told them about. They acknowledged that it came from the Lord.

After such a spectacular scene, how could they not go to Bethlehem and see all they’d heard.

Imagine the amazing sight of the angels singing glory to God.  Would you have rushed to Bethlehem to see what the angels proclaimed?

 

The news was so great that it took a multitude of angels to sing the glory of God #Christmas #eyewitnesstoChristmas Click To Tweet

 

**Photos courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org

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