Glory to God

 

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!'" Luke 2:8-14.

What an amazing sight that must have been for those simple shepherds!  Then, when they walked to the nearby stable and saw the little baby lying in a manger, their hearts must have burned within them as they recognized this very special birth.  Had not a host of angels flying in the sky above their heads told them that this baby was the very Lord Himself - the long-awaited Messiah?  When you are visited by hundreds of shining angels, you don't take their message lightly.

Out of all the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks that night, God chose these few men to be the recipients of this wonderful message, delivered in such a stunning manner.  Wow!  What an amazing honor!  Scripture ends our glimpse of these shepherds with these words, "Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them," Luke 2:20.

I imagine this experience changed their lives and these shepherds were never the same again.  No doubt, they repeated the story over and over again to anyone who would listen and always, there would be awe and wonder in their voices as they remembered that supernatural experience in the dark field of Bethlehem and the special baby in the stable.

As we celebrate the awesome birth of our Savior, let's embrace the wonder of it all and rejoice in the amazing grace God has showered upon us by sending to us this incomparable Gift.