But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:10-14
This is the message the angels showed up and proclaimed to the shepherds who were out in the fields, simply watching their sheep. The humble King was now here with us. God incarnate, the eternal One. Emmanuel. God with us! And on us his favor would now rest.
Angels are all through the story of God and mankind, from Genesis through Revelation. They play a major role in the Christmas story. They show up all over the place to announce the arrival of the Messiah.
David O. Taylor is a professor of theology and culture who describes the biblical Christmas stories as: "weird, incredible, bizarre, unsettling, fantastical, strange, disturbingly odd, decidedly troubling, and terrifying yet life-giving."
DISCUSSION:
-What are your thoughts or questions about angels?
Let's look closer at that passage.
"Heavenly host": this is actually a military term that means army. This was a great crowd of spiritual entities, these ancient warriors. Legions and legions of these most impressive beings praising God.
It is impossible to imagine how many angels there were. Job asks, "can his forces be numbered?" Job 25:3. This was a rhetorical question. Job was making the point that these forces cannot be numbered.
In the book of Daniel, he describes them as "thousands upon thousands attended him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Daniel 7:10
Also, the angels were celebrating and proclaiming "peace". This was about salvation, peace between God and man. The angels were in awe, watching and celebrating the arrival of our Messiah.
1 Peter 1:12 tells us that "these are the things that angels long to look".
These angels are undone by what they see God doing for humanity.
DISCUSSION:
The people of Israel had long awaited the Messiah. They longed for a Savior.
How does this touch you? Do you feel like you need a Savior, or is this something you struggle with?
What difference had it made in your life personally that a Savior came for you?