The Angel's Praise

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Good News of Great Joy

Luke 2:8–12 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Angel shows up everyones afraid

The glory of the Lord shone around them

Fear not I come with Good news of Great joy

This is the greek word we get evangelism from literally they have the good news of the Gospel.

The Message is one that will bring Great Joy

The Savior who is Christ the Lord is born

The Reedemer of Israel and the world has come.

The promised Messiah has come

I tell you be filled with Joy for the time of Salvation is here. This is the moment that the saints of Old spoke of and you are going to live through it.

Here is the proof you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Imagine what the shepherds must have thought a bout a child lying in the feeding trough.

Yet this is no ordinary child but the promised Messiah

He was coming not for the rich and the mighty but for all. The first to know were his parents simple carpenters and some shepherds the most looked down upon of all professions.

Yet God smiles upon them with the greatest news of alltime.

Glory to God

Luke 2:14–20 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The angels say glory to God in the highest

The first thing they do is praise God for what he is about to do.

Notice that their praise is contagious

If this is the melody of the song then the praise of the shepherds and Mary provide the harmony to support it.

Notice their reactions to the birth of the Messiah

First the shepherds run and find the Baby Jesus then they begin telling everyone that will listen what they have seen and heard that night

They are the heralds of Good news, Just as the angels told the great news they too echoed it back so that all might hear the glorious work of God

Second they return to their flocks glorifying and praising God. Their lives are filled with Joy at the news the Messiah is born and they are bursting forth with praise for God.

Are you bursting forth with Praise this Christmas Season or are you more Scrooge than you care to admit. Let us the praise of God well up in our hearts and burst forth with a mighty song That Christ is born this Christmas.

Finally Mary treasures these things in her heart

Mary held these things precious and dear to herself in the years to come when we treasure something we give it value. Sometimes it only has value because we give it value other times we increase its value by treasuring it and safeguarding it through the passage of time. Thus Mary did with these things.

Yet the message of the angels is not complete until we discuss what it the reason to glorify God

Peace among those with whom he is pleased

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When I read peace among those with whom he is pleased my first thought was thats not the way I always hear it read. It should say peace on earth goodwill to men.

As I studied this I found that apparently some texts use the word eudokia that would mean goodwill while others use eudokias meaning possessing good will thus the meaning would be peace to those who possess God’s good will or his favor.

that little letter that single s changed the meaning

As i considered this in light of Scripture I realized that Jesus did not bring peace to the entire world but rather only to a few. His sacrifice is capable of forgiving all sin yet it is only effective for those who choose to follow him. It is upon these followers that his favor rests and who have peace with God through his sacrifice.

It is they whose sins are forgiven not the entire earth.

Invitation