Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams
Friday, December 9th
Read Luke 2:9-15
Picture this: while Mary is crying out in pain giving birth to the baby Jesus, the angels are
crowding around to get a front row seat to this world-changing event. The scriptures are clear
that angels have a limited knowledge of the plans of God. Peter writes in his first letter when
referring to the miracle of salvation…
Even angels long to look into these things.
1 Peter 1:12 NIV
1 Peter 1:12 NIV
Angels were created by God to serve His purposes and be messengers of His grace. The scriptures also
say that human beings are more important in God’s kingdom than the angels and that, when a person dies,
he or she becomes a glorified saint rather than an angel with wings.
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 4:14 NIV
Hebrews 4:14 NIV
After the birth of Jesus, God ordered an angel to appear to some shepherds out the fields. (I like
to imagine that the angels clamored in heaven to all be involved in the announcement so God
sent them all!)
An uncountable number of angels descended above these shepherds with only one angel visible at first. This angel speaks first…
An uncountable number of angels descended above these shepherds with only one angel visible at first. This angel speaks first…
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at
night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were terrified. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12 NIV
Luke 2:8-12 NIV
Then, in an instant, the sky is filled with the whole host of angels speaking (not singing as so many songs portray) as one voice:
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 2:13-14 NIV
Luke 2:13-14 NIV
The sound of the host of angels all speaking together must have been deafening!! Did the
shepherds have to cover their ears? Could people in Bethlehem hear the angels? It must have
been quite the sight because the shepherds immediately decided this was something they needed
to see for themselves.
Prayer Emphasis: Meditate today on the idea that God created to angels to be His messengers and to minister to you in your times of need.
For Family Discussion…
How does it make you feel to know that you are God’s most precious creation and that the angels were created to minister to you?
If you were one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared, how would you have reacted to the entire sky being filled with angels?
Prayer Emphasis: Meditate today on the idea that God created to angels to be His messengers and to minister to you in your times of need.
For Family Discussion…
How does it make you feel to know that you are God’s most precious creation and that the angels were created to minister to you?
If you were one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared, how would you have reacted to the entire sky being filled with angels?