The Angels' Message at Jesus' Birth

Luke 2:8-14

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 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.

10 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.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Illustration: I remember the very first time I saw an angel…

-around the early ‘70’s… in a single-wide mobile home

-in a trailer park

-I was in kindergarten or first grade

-I saw the most beautiful…blonde…angel with a red dress on…

- Oh yeah, I forgot to say it was Christmas time and the Angel sat on top of our Christmas tree…sometimes a live tree-sometimes a silver foil tree with color disc

-every year she was our Christmas tree topper…

Notice the Angels in the Christmas story tonight:

Heavenly Harmonies:

In the tapestry of time, one divine thread weaves through the celestial chronicle — the birth of Jesus, a luminary moment in Luke 2:8-14. Behold, the angels, messengers of the heavenly realm, choreographing a symphony of salvation that echoes through eternity.

Tonight, we unwrap the celestial gift nestled in Luke's sacred scroll,

Here are three inspirational notes that resonate in the angels' anthem:

1. Heed the Heavenly Herald:

Amidst the silent hills, the serenity is shattered by a celestial crescendo — an angelic announcement!

The first note, resonating with resplendent revelation, rings clear: "Fear not!"

The angels heralded not just the birth of a baby in Bethlehem but the dawn of hope for all humanity.

This Christmas, let us attune our ears to the whispers of celestial messengers, fearlessly embracing the transformative message of love and salvation.

2. Harmony in Humility:

A humble stable becomes a celestial stage, as the heavenly host descends in dazzling display.

In this second stanza, we find the angels singing a refrain of reverence — "Glory to God in the highest."

The angels' song teaches us the power of humility in exalting the divine.

As we gather in family circles this Christmas, let humility be our melody, resonating in every word and gesture, harmonizing the hearts that echo the angels' hymn.

3. Heralding Hope and Healing:

The third celestial note rings with an invitation to a cosmic chorus — "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men."

The angels' proclamation extends an invitation to participate in a grand symphony of healing and hope.

This Christmas, let our families become conduits of peace, goodwill, and healing.

Amidst the chaos of festivities, let the compassion that birthed the Bethlehem babe guide our actions, bringing peace to the weary hearts around us.

As we set the stage for Christmas, let us take these three challenges to amplify the angelic anthem in our homes:

Challenge one… is to cultivate a spirit of hospitality.

Like the innkeepers of Bethlehem, make room in your hearts and homes for those in need.

This season, extend a warm embrace to the lonely, the downtrodden, and the marginalized, embodying the angels' message of goodwill.

Challenge two… invites us to engage in humble acts of kindness.

Whether it's a small gesture or a grand benevolence, let the echoes of the angels' humility guide your actions.

Seek opportunities to serve others with love, echoing the divine chorus that sang of a humble Savior born in a manger.

The third and final challenge… is to be a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Just as the angels brought tidings of great joy to the shepherds, be intentional about spreading joy, hope, and positivity.

Illuminate the lives of those around you, making this Christmas a season of genuine celebration.

In the celestial overture of Luke's Gospel, the angels beckon us to embrace a melody of redemption, humility, and hope.

May our families resonate with the echoes of their harmonious proclamation, transforming our homes into sacred spaces where the spirit of Christmas becomes a perennial symphony of love and grace.

Closing: Will you listen and look for the angels this Christmas?

And will you be an angel?

Angles played an important role here and you can do the same…

Angles make a difference!

Pray