June 13, 2018 – Luke 2:8-12

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke: 2:8-12.

The shepherds expected another quiet night of watching the sheep in their care and maybe a nap or two.  The night was dark and only a sprinkling of stars lit the skies.  We are used to man-made lighting all around us, even on a farm. The word, ‘Suddenly’ created quite a stir of attention, not knowing what was about to happen.  Have you experienced an Angel from Heaven coming to tell you,  “Don’t be afraid!  I bring you good tidings of great joy to all people.”  A choir of angels from Heaven appeared saying, “Glory to God and peace on earth!”

Did the shepherds, mutter, ‘Ho hum, let’s take a nap?’  No!  They left the sheep and hurried to find the Baby the Angels told them about.  They knew how to celebrate Jesus. They worshiped Him. They wanted to know more about this Baby Jesus, God sent to the world to bring great joy to all people, the King for all people.  We celebrate His Birth, not one day a year, but every day!

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15.