Adventure - Day 15

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 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.” 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 2:8-15 NLT

This may seem like an inappropriate way to begin today’s reflection, but I can’t help it.  When I read through this story, I have a picture in my head.  The picture is from the 1989 movie, “National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase as the clumsy and overly eager leader of the Griswold clan who will stop at nothing to make sure his family has an incredible Christmas.

He and his son decorate the house with what we’re told is 25,000 twinkle lights.  After some very unsafe use of extension cords, the house lights up, blinding the neighbors, and blackening out the entire city of Chicago so the Griswald family Christmas could commence.

I imagine that when the angels allowed themselves to be seen by the Shepherds, it was a similar sight.  Blinding at first, after all, the Shepherds eyes had adjusted to seeing at night.  But when their eyes adjusted and they could see angels in the sky, they were part scared, part excited, and probably a lot confused.  What was going on?  They’d never seen such a site before.

But what the angels knew, that the Shepherds didn’t, was that the glorious, perfect, Son of God, had taken on human flesh and come into the world that He had created.  The plan of salvation, set back in the Garden of Eden, had taken it’s next gigantic step.  The God of love risked everything, to become one of us, to be with us and to save us from our sins.

The angels had front row seats to this Divine Adventure the Holy Trinity were embarking on.  Their first job was to do that which angels do, “herald” the news…

“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 2:10-12 NLT

And then, even more angels appear like children who don’t want to miss out on something amazing.  As they all come together they do what they were created to do, they offer their God praise:

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Luke 2:14 NLT

This celebration was just a taste of the one to come in heaven, when millions of angels will gather at the throne, as well as a vast crowd of people to great a number to count, all to sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”

The angels were created to worship and be messengers of God’s good news; a two-fold purpose also passed on to us.

JOURNAL

1. Can you think of a time in your past that was full of a glorious worship experience?  Maybe it was in church, in nature, or somewhere unexpected.  What was it like and why do you think it impacted you so much?
2. Have you ever been surprised by God? If so, what happened?
3. How are you planning on celebrating the birth of Christ into the world this Christmas season?  And you inviting anyone along to join in with you?