Friday, December 20, 2024

Listen to the Word

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)

At the risk of wading into water that is way over our heads, let’s contemplate what the first Christmas looked like to the angels. Of course the angels had already seen God do plenty of surprising things. When you hang out with God for a few millennia, you are going to see some things that make your halo spin! And God had given them plenty of strange assignments (talking to Balaam’s donkey comes to mind). But nothing could have prepared them for the news they would proclaim that day. Surprise #1: God is entering the world. That had to be a shocker for the angels, who had a clear view of the chasm between heaven’s splendor and earth’s sinfulness. Surprise #2: he is going to be born. They probably figured he would descend on a cloud or something. Surprise #3: his mom will be an unmarried peasant teenager. Wouldn’t a fleet of trained nannies be more appropriate? Surprise #4: he will be born in a stable. Why not a state-of-the-art hospital? Surprise #5: the news is to be announced to shepherds. The angels had already plugged the directions to Caesar’s palace into their celestial GPS devices; they weren’t expecting to be sent to common laborers.

What a message God gave the angels to give to us! He said, “My people are hurting, and I’m going in after them. Even if you angels think it is embarrassing and beneath my royal dignity, I’m going to get them. Even though it means a manger, even though it means a cross - I love them that much. Go tell them I’m on my way!”

Live the Word

Which of the surprises listed above is most amazing to you? Take a moment to thank God for that surprise.