Christmas From the Shepherds/Angels Perspective
Notes
Transcript
In Luke 2 we have this famous account of the shepherds and angels, but we know from other passages of scripture that this isn’t the first time Angels have been involved in the account of Christ’s Birth. In Fact,
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
Angels were involved in the unfolding account of the savior and delivering God’s message all the way back to the O.T. Just like us angels are limited in their knowledge and understanding. They would only know the information that God revealed to them. The word Angel means “messenger”. They are not all-knowing or all powerful. In fact, we see this somewhat strange account of an Angel being delayed and needing help from the Arch-Angel Micheal to escape the prince of Persia.
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling. 12 “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.” 15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless. 17 How can someone like me, your servant, speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.” 18 Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.
So now we understand that the angels are limited beings. As a limited created being they would have seen the Christmas story in a different light.
According to
4 Where were you when I established the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
I. The angels witnessed the creation of the earth.
II. The Angels witnessed the war in heaven and the fall of Lucifer
III. The Angels witnessed the relationship with man
IV. The Angels witnessed the fall and separation
V. They witnessed God’s continued redemption of Israel
VI. They took part in delivering messages to the prophets and Abraham
VII. Then they witnessed 400 years of silence between Malachi and Matthew.
VIII. Then came the first message from God delivered by the Angels to Elizabeth & Zacharia
VIIII. Then to Mary & Joseph
X. Then finally the shepherds.