Inspired by Angels We Have Heard On High by Chris Tomlin Jesus' entrance into this world was the most humble yet the most glorified birth in human history. Humble in the sense that He was born in a room full of farm animals. Humble in the sense that His parents were Jewish with little social status. Humble in that the city He was born in was small and unimportant to the world's politics at the time. Gloria in Excelsis Deo And yet, His birth radiated glory. It was revealed to shepherds in a field by angels declaring, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). The glory was so bright, the shepherds went to find the source (Luke 2:15). And later, many others would do the same. Shepherds, why this jubilee?Why your joyous strains prolong?What the gladsome tidings beWhich inspire your heavenly song? It is a lesson we learn every Christmas: the God of the universe came the earth in such humility that, aside from the angels declaring His name from the heavens, He arrived almost unnoticed. We hear that and are in awe of Him even more, as the shepherds were. We acknowledge the celebration He deserved, the crown that should have been placed on His head immediately. And we are humbled by His humility. But we stop there. We forget what the details of His birth mean for us. Jesus entered the earth in the same way He enters our hearts: right in the middle of a big mess. Just like He didn't look for a palace to be His birthplace and an earthly throne His dwelling, so does He not look for clean hearts to come into of perfect people who have it all figured out. Paul explains in Romans: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He did this so that He could dwell in our hearts (Eph. 3:17). He doesn't wait until they are clean. While we were still sinners, remember? This is what He has been telling us from birth, an invitation that never expires: Come to Bethlehem and seeHim whose birth the angels singCome adore on bended kneeChrist our Lord, the new born King Based on the song Angels We Have Heard On High by Chris Tomlin. Original post by The Overflow featured on YouVersion. Hear Chris Tomlin's Angels We Have Heard On High here. To listen to a playlist of songs from this devotional on TheOverflow please visit theoverflow.com/xmas-songs
“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.” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV). In Luke 2 when the angel appeared to the shepherds to tell them about the birth of Jesus, the first words the angel said were 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news'.
Over the centuries, countless books and sermons have been written detailing various aspects of the Christmas story. The birth of Jesus brings meaning in so many ways, but one important understanding of the events can be found in the words of the angels to the shepherds on that glorious night. Glory to God. Peace on earth. These are the outcomes of the birth of Jesus. God receives praise and glory from those on heaven and earth for providing such an amazing gift. Creation receives the peace of God as Jesus, the very Prince of Peace, has now come to earth. These two outcomes point us to the very names for Jesus given by Isaiah in one of the most noted prophecies of the coming Savior.The very names of Jesus speak of both of these. They give praise to God and peace to men. The very presence and existence of Jesus as a human showcase a mighty God. Yet it also provides for us a wonderful counselor. Praise to God. Peace for men. To truly appreciate the Christmas season is to realize the meaning it provides in two directions: the glory and praise due to God for such an extravagant act of love and the rest and comfort we have through the gift of Jesus. May we reflect on both of these this holiday season and praise God from a place of true peace. Inspired by the song Hark The Herald Angels Sing by Jeremy Camp. Original post featured on YouVersion.
