Luke tells us in Luke 2:8-14:
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
Kings at that time did not come to town unannounced. They sent heralds before them to announce their appearance so people would be ready for them. It was the same with Jesus Christ, our king. When the wise men from the East came to see Jesus, they asked “where is he who has been born king of the Jews”. (Mathew 2:2)
But in his case, Jesus’ herald was an angel. It was a dramatic scene. A majestic angel appeared to the shepherds, seemingly out of nowhere and certainly unexpected. (9) The angel came to announce the good news that Jesus was born in the City of David, which was Bethlehem.
Jesus’ birth at Bethlehem fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which says:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathath, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
The glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds. God’s glory sometimes appears as a great, bright, light. In the New Jerusalem, for example, God’s glory will be the light in place of the sun and moon. (Revelation 21:23) 1 Timothy 6:16 says God dwells in unapproachable light.
It often made people fall to the ground in fear. And indeed, the shepherds were filled with fear. The angel had to tell them not to fear.
I do not know why, but God chose to herald the coming of Christ to some shepherds. These guys were camped out with their flock of sheep in the fields when the angels appeared. They were very low on the social scale. They worked and slept outside, so they were likely dirty and sweaty. They also smelled like sheep. They probably did not make it into synagogue regularly. They did not keep the ceremonial law. They were only above lepers in the social order. You can image a Pharisee in his fancy robe avoiding them completely.
But, maybe God chose them because he wanted to signal that Jesus came for the lowly, not just the rich and powerful. He was born in humble circumstances and his birth was announced to humble people. As Mary sang: “he has brought down the might from their thrones and elated those of humble estate”. (Luke 1:52)
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says:
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world…so no human being might boast in the presence of God”.
The angel told them Jesus had been born. (10) He used three titles for Jesus. First, he is Savior. A savior is a deliverer. Jesus delivers those who believe in him from sin. Second, he is Christ. He is the anointed one who rules as king. Finally, he is Lord; he is God.
There was important news in this announcement. The long awaited Messiah\Christ had appeared. From the beginning, when Adam and Eve heard the curse on the serpent, God’s people awaited the one who would defeat Satan. (Genesis 3:15)
They waited for the seed of Abraham that would bless all nations. (Genesis 13:15; Galatians 3:16)
They looked for the prophet like Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; John 1:45)
They anticipated the one who would be the perfect sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:12)
They expected Isaiah’s Suffering Servant that would bear their iniquities and heal their wounds with his stripes. (Isaiah 42:1–9; 49:1–7; 50:4–9; and 52:13–53:12)
Now, the angels announced, this Messiah\Christ, who fulfilled all of these prophecies had appeared.
The word Messiah is the English translation for the Hebrew word meaning “Annointed”. The word “one” is implied, so “Annointed One” would be a fair translation. In Greek it is christos (if you use English letters). We transliterate it as Christ.
Jesus would later say the title “Christ” was his. Mark 14:60-62 records the following conversation:
And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
The angels’ second piece of news was that this news would be joy for all peoples. God promised Abraham a descendant who would bless all nations. That descendant arrived in Bethlehem announced by angels. Now the church is commissioned to make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)
Third, as told by the multitude of angels that appeared, those with whom God was pleased, those whom he called into his kingdom, would find peace with God. (14) Sinful men and women are enemies of God. But Christ would, by his death, reconcile believers to the Father (Romans 5:10). And, Christ is the only one who can bring about this reconciliation in the life of believers. Jesus said “no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6).
What a wonderful event and what a blessing to hear the news first. Yet, thanks to the Bible and the faithful witness of Christ’s disciples throughout the centuries, we join the angels in praise to God for his gracious salvation.
The shepherds witnessed this first great praise: “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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
That multitude of heavenly beings is now joined by a multitude of believers from all of time and from every country that ever existed glorifying God and preaching the gospel of reconciliation to God: peace to those with whom he is pleased.
Revel in the knowledge that the Creator of the Universe is pleased with you if you follow his Son. He takes pleasure in your praise and your obedience.
What more could you ask?
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