Angels Announced Good News Of Great Joy To The World
At this point in the Christmas story, Jesus was born. As far as we know, Mary, Joseph, and the child were alone in a stable accompanied by animals. They didn’t know was happening at a nearby pasture. Angels showed up and announced the good news of great joy. This announcement was for all the world to know.
The angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10
My wife and I are blessed in that we have two boys who are now men and four grandchildren. I remember the anxious moments as each of them was ready to enter this world.
Then what we expected, happened with each of them. One at a time a new life with robust energy was added to our family.
The world however was not expecting what happened on that first Christmas day. But, heaven knew! I wonder if it was an anxious moment for the heavenly beings? We don’t know.
Were the angels so excited they just had to tell someone? Did Gabriel or even the Lord Himself point to the shepherds saying tell them? We don’t know that either. What we do know was recorded in verse 9.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. Luke 2:9
The Angels Gave the News of Joy With Excitement
Three times in the Christmas Story an angelic being made an announcement. The first two were private messages, one to Mary, then to Joseph. But this one to the shepherds was for all the world to hear.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:11
When I read that statement, I can just hear the excitement in the angel’s voice. Was he clarifying who was born? Or was his saying, the Savior! You know, the Messiah! Ok, He’s the Lord!
The shepherds were never told to go and see the child. They were told though, how they would know if they found the right baby.
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12
We don’t know how many babies from newborns to a few weeks old were in Bethlehem that night. But I would venture a guess that none of the others were wrapped in strips of cloth.
And certainly, not one other baby within miles of the city limits of Bethlehem was lying in a manger. Do you know how I know? Because this was the sign the angel gave. When they located this baby, they had found Jesus!
As this story progressed, I like to let my imagination go. In the background the angelic choir is ready. The choir director though, held his hand up said this. “Everyone stay quiet, wait until the announcement is completed. Then . . .
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14
The Story Continues
That is the way it happened, but the story hasn’t ended. The signs the angels spoke about were for Jesus as a baby. He has since grown and completed the work He came to do. Jesus, Himself gave another sign.
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. John 12:32
He was lifted up. And when people accept what Jesus did and receive it for themselves, the angels still react with joy to the news.
There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents. Luke 15:10
Enter not only the Christmas season but every day of your life with the joy of the Lord. Let the excitement of the angels in heaven rub off on you.
Lord, thank you for revealing to us the joy that is found in the angels who surround you. We know, however, their joy comes from you. And your joy in us gives us strength.
Check out this related post called How To Experience Complete Joy In The Lord.
Read the account of the shepherds and angels in Luke 2.
