The Angels Announce His Coming
When a major event is underway, a major announcement typically surrounds such an event. This year’s Presidential election brought about much anticipation. People from all over America tuned in to see and hear who would become the next President. At a point in the election process, the announcement was made regarding who the next President would be in 2021. Announcements either precede or succeed major events. The bigger the event, the bigger the announcement.
Westminster Abbey
In England, there stands to this day a large building known as Westminster Abbey. This building is the gravesite of many individuals who have been recognized to merit the high honor of being buried in such an extravagant place. A man by the name of David Livingstone is buried in Westminster Abbey. This man was a missionary to the people of Africa who was actually attacked and severely wounded by a lion in his attempts to help the people. A famous scientist by the name of Isaac Newton is also buried in Westminster Abbey, and he is thought by many to be one of the greatest scientists who have ever lived. The death of these men brought about a great announcement, and many came to take part in their burial.
As one travels through the interior of the Abbey, he will notice the high ceilings, the stained glass windows, and the stone sculptures that are displayed everywhere he looks. The Abbey is truly an architectural masterpiece. If this same individual is able to pull away from it all and take his gaze away from the ceiling and off of the floor, he will notice that at a particular point at eye level within the Abbey, there is a throne.
The Coronation Chair for the royalty of England is found within the Abbey. A major event, such as bringing someone into a position to rule the country, is widely announced and made known. However, at no point in history has there been a greater announcement than that of the Savior’s birth.
The announcement of the Savior
In Luke 2:8-20, Luke tells us of a great announcement. A great announcement can truly be measured by the one who makes the announcement. To have a child announce who the President of the United States is wouldn’t make much sense. To have a criminal who is in jail announce that America is going to war wouldn’t make much sense. A great event requires a great announcement.
In Luke 2:9, Luke tells his readers that an angel of the Lord came to make the announcement that Jesus Christ had been born. At no point in history has there been someone of a greater status announcing the birth of another. Jesus Christ was born, and an angel came to tell of the news. This news was good news, the Scripture says, and oh, how language cannot do justice to the work of God. It was the best news that had ever been told to man. God has come in the flesh was the news. God has come to save His people from their sins was the news. The long awaited King of Israel has come was the news. The goodness of this news was beyond the scope of the language of man. It may not have even been able to be captured in the tongues of angels. This news could not have been any better. Jesus had come.
What a position this angel was in. Imagine if it was a man who was told he could announce the coming of the Savior. The man’s knees would be knocking, his palms would be sweaty, and his forehead would be perspiring. He may say it something like this: “Th-th-the S-S-S-Savior has c-c-c-come.” What a privilege to announce the greatest event in human history next to the death and resurrection of Jesus Himself.
As soon as the angel made the announcement, he found himself being supported in the magnitude of his claims by a multitude of a heavenly host (2:13). The word multitude speaks of a great amount of angels; thousands were most likely present during this wonderful announcement.
The heart of God
While the announcers of God’s coming had a high status in God’s kingdom, it is easy to see that the announcement did not come to the elite but to the outcast. This is an interesting point, as the ways of Christ clash with the ways of the world.
Never has there been a time before or since in which so a great a divide existed between the upper and lower classes than during the life of Jesus. Rome has no equal here. The upper class had virtually nothing in common with the lower class. It is in this Roman culture that Catholicism got the idea of passing requests through saints.
In Rome, you could not approach the emperor as a lower-class citizen. Your only hope of being heard was to pass your requests up through the various classes and have it reach the emperor that way. However, it is made clear that Jesus is much, much different. His announcement was made to the lowly, the outcast of society. The only divide that exists between God and man exists because of man’s rejection of Jesus, and not the other way around.
Jesus made clear from the outset that his Kingship was not like the world’s, and the shepherds stood in awe. At no point was the emperor concerned about these people. At no point did the emperor come and visit these people. At no point did the emperor give these individuals much thought at all.
The response of the shepherds
These shepherds could not believe that they were the ones who were told of the birth of Christ. In their excitement, they rushed to see their King. Jesus knew the outcast would welcome Him. As they beheld Jesus, they attested to Jesus’ Messiahship and were quick to honor Christ before man. These shepherds knew the magnitude of what they had witnessed and experienced, and they left praising God.
The response of the Christian
This Christmas is a great time of rejoicing. For the Christian, the birth of Christ has been made known to you too. Share about the meaning of Christmas with others like these shepherds did, and praise God by following their examples. Christmas is truly a time of great rejoicing and a time of making it known that Jesus has come.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus. I thank You for sending Jesus to all who would receive Him. Help me to see Jesus more clearly this Christmas and to praise You for the work You have done. In Jesus’ name, Amen