LUKE 2: 8-14
WHEN HEAVEN CAME DOWN
[Eph. 2:12-18, Isa. 65:1, 61:1f, 1 Pet. 10:21, Zech. 9:9-12, Rev. 5:9-14]
Christmas is a drama of the exciting invasion of earth by infinite God, the Eternal Spirit, Who became flesh in order to become man. His purpose was to personally reveal Himself to us, and give Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Christ left His heavenly glory to become poor for our sakes, that we might become spiritually rich through Him.
The first to see this drama of the incarnation unfold were poor shepherds on the hillside of Judea. They were outside the city of Bethlehem when Jesus was born. But there were others in Bethlehem that night; merchants and laborers, Roman soldiers in charge of tax registration and other government officials. Why didn't God reveal Himself to the important people in town, instead of to humble shepherds? Perhaps He knew their self-sufficiency. God prefers to reveal Himself to humble hearts. He by-passes the proud who think themselves worthy of notice and reveals Himself to the contrite.
Yet the humbleness of another is the real reason for this dramatic event. The greatest humbling in the world was when God, the Sovereign Lord of the universe, emptied Himself and took upon Himself the form of man, the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7). God exalts those who will be humbled (1 Pet. 5:5-6). So when He humbled Himself to become a man, God did in some measure magnify and honor Himself to those who in humbleness would seek out the Christ. The significance of the event made it fitting that Heaven should come down and give God Glory (CIT).
The passage can be outlined as follows:
I. KEEPING WATCH OVER THE FLOCK, 2:8-9
II. GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY, 2:10-12
III. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, 2:13-14
First, Keeping Watch Over the Flock.
In verse 8 the scene changes from the manger to the fields, from the humble Savior to lowly shepherds. “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.”
“In the same region,” in the area near Bethlehem of Judea, where the Christ Child was born. "There were some shepherds." Shepherds were among the lowest groups on the social-economic scale. They were despised by the up and ups for their occupation made it difficult for them to obey the Rabbical law. So the first public proclamation of the good news was to social outcasts.
[It demonstrates that no matter how insignificant you may think you are, God knows you, & you are important to Him. All throughout Scripture God honors and uses people & things that the world often overlooks or ignores (1 Cor. 1:26-28a).]
Yet from these shepherd’s response of hurrying to find the Christ Child after the announcement they were probable devout men waiting for the deliverance of Israel (2:15, 17, 20). The Gospel seems to have its best response among the poor and lowly. The movers and shakers may exclude them from their circles or society, but God will not exclude them from the good news.
The shepherds were "staying out in their fields." These shepherds were bivouacking, passing the night in the open air [probably between March and November for in the winter they kept their flocks in folds]. In these very pastures the shepherd boy David had fought the lion and bear to protect the sheep (1 Sam. 17:34f). These shepherds too were keeping watch. They were about their normal work of taking turns keeping watch to make certain the sheep were protected from thieves, beasts of prey and accidents. Here, as it is so often, those faithfully about their duty in the routine of life have an encounter with God. For God speaks to people at work as well as at worship. Do your work but leave the door to Heaven open and the light from above will brighten your labor on earth.
These shepherds were on the night shift. They were keeping watch over their flock by night. The dark back drop of night made the brilliance of the angelic appearance all the more vivid.
Since this flock was so near Jerusalem it may have been destine for sacrifice in the Temple. There is beautiful significance in the thought that the Lamb of God born in Bethlehem's stable was the Lamb of God destined to be sacrificed for the sins of the world was announced to shepherds watching flocks destined for sacrifice.
The tranquil night is suddenly changed in verse 9 by a heavenly messenger. “And suddenly an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terribly frightened.”
It all happened with dramatic swiftness, one moment the quiet sounds of a still night, the next a strong, holy angel of the Lord stood before them in brilliance making the night brighter than day to their unadjusted eyes. They had not noticed his coming for the angel made no visible approach.
Thus “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” Glory is used many ways in Scripture and it almost defies definition. Here it was a supernatural light, a heavenly brilliance regarded as the manifestation of God's presence and power flashing all around them.
"They were filled with terrible fright" for they could not bear the holy glory. Although they were devout men, they were still sinners and this experience of the holiness of God had burst upon them unexpectantly. The word indicates great fear or reverential awe. They were awe-struck. The people of Israel were awaiting and expecting the Davidic King yet these shepherds, as does everyone else, expect it to be revealed to someone else, to some other person or some other generation.
The first point was Keeping Watch Over the Flock, the second point is GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY (2:10-12).
The reason for the angelic being appearance is to announce a message of the greatest import. As verse 10 proclaims, it is a heavenly message of astonishing good news and joy.
“And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid: for behold I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people;”
The angel, using the dialect which the people of that time and place, spoke, "Do not be afraid," My presence and this revelation contains nothing that should cause you to fear but it is a message of love, hope and faith. The fear of the eternal unseen universe which lies coiled like a sleeping snake in all hearts is now being taken away by the incarnation. We can now know what the sovereign God is like, and, far more than that, we can even know Him.
"For behold I bring you good news of great joy." God’s announcement is that there is reason for great joy because of the good news. [This is the first public announcement of Messiah made in the New Testament. All earlier announcements had been made privately to individuals.] The word good news is euvangelion meaning “I evangelize, I gospel.” I bring you evangelization of great joy. The greatest announcement, the mightiest, the most wonderful words that can ever pass immoral lips is the good news and it is characterized by great joy. What greater joy could there be than the realization and whole hearted acceptance of the fact that God Himself through the sacrifice of His One and only Son, has brought about the solution for the world's greatest problem, the problem of sin. The incarnation of God in human flesh was the first step of the solution. Never forget that the gospel message is one of great joy.
Many people today hear these words about "GREAT JOY" but don't understand them. They relish the season as they decorate their homes, shop in cheerful malls, attend festive parties, and exchange gifts with the ones they love. But after all the excitement subsides, they feel empty and joyless.
Others don't like the season at all. Many have no money for gifts or decorations. Some have no friends with whom to celebrate. Others are so depleted by all the running they have no energy to enjoy the season. The atmosphere of cheer around them actually deepens their feelings of sadness.
The problem with these groups is that they wrongly identify the "great joy" of which the angel spoke. It is found not in the superficial fun but in the deeper meaning of the season. When Jesus was born, God became a man so that He could save us from our sins and give us the joyful prospect of eternity in heaven. That's the true reason for joy. The shepherds went back to the cold nights and loneliness of their vocation, but they were "glorifying and praising God" (v.20).
The real meaning of Christmas is"good tidings of great joy which is for all people." Yes the Good News is for all people, not merely for those who heard this proclamation but for all people everywhere. The people of Israel, yes but for all the people of the world also, regardless of nationality, race, age, wealth, family, social position, sex, education, etc. The great joy is for those, who accept it but the gospel is for all the world’s peoples.
The “Good News of Great Joy" is the best news that humanity had ever heard! It was only because "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16) that this could ever have occurred. It was God’s eternal, infinite love that caused Him to go to such unparalleled lengths to save lost human beings.
We ought to feel eternal gratitude for this marvelous gesture of divine love. And we ought to share the Good News of the birth of the Savior with other people, so that they also can experience the joy that we have as Christians.
"The Good News for everyone" is that the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, is the Savior of all who will accept Him. It is the best news the world has ever heard. And it is too good to keep hidden away. We need to share this Good News with others. For in spite of the worldwide celebration of Christmas, many people are not aware of the Gospel. Even in our American cities and towns, with their churches all around, many have not heard the real gospel. As born-again Christians, it is our privilege and duty to share with them the Good News of salvation -that they too might know great joy.
In verse 11 the angel proclaims the Christ Child’s major offices. “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
[Today, the Jewish time was divided from sun set to sun set, each new day started at sun set. This also means the dawning of a new day, a new age, the time messianic deliverance.] "The city of David" is the city where David was born, Bethlehem which is ten miles south of Jerusalem. Next it focuses in on the One whose coming is being heralded. "There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Each of the three titles--Savior, Christ, Lord--is significant.
The word Savior meant deliverer, benefactor. It was often used for the great conquering heros of that day. (Caesar Augustus was called a Savior for his delivering native people from their governments). Many Jews were looking for a political leader to deliver them from Roman rule while others were looking for a Savior to deliver them from sickness and physical hardship. But this announcement concerns the Savior who would deliver individuals from the bondage of sin and death. What kind of Savior are you looking for?
"Christ" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. Both mean anointed. The Messiah is the one anointed to rule as King in fulfillment of God's promises to David. The Messiah is the one sent of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Great Prophet, the overcoming Deliverer, the Sympathetic High Priest and the Eternal King. Thus we call Him Jesus Christ.
The angel also designates that He is “the Lord.” Lord means master or ruler, here designating the ultimate ruler with all authority and dominion of the Kingdom of God. "Lord" is the word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (LXX) for the word Yahweh. The word Lord was the designation previously reserved for God alone but now it is applied to Jesus Christ. Thus we see the uniquely divine nature of the one who was born.
There is something very grand in the accumulation of the titles each greater then the preceding and culminating in the final title "Lord". The angel was announcing the eternal redeeming Messianic Lord and not just an earthly Lord. By including the City of David the angel was laying claim to all the promises connected with the Davidic covenant. God keeping and fulfillment of all these promises is why I-we celebrate Christmas still today.
Christians though are divided in their THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS. Some want to give up on it and hand it over to the department stores. Others want to salvage it and use it to say something important about the birth of Jesus to a joyless secular world. As said, I take my place with the second group.
Years ago an old pioneer journeyed westward across the great plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the GRAND CANYON. He gawked at the sight before him--a vast chasm one mile deep, 18 miles across, and stretching out of sight. He gasped, "Something must have happened here!"
At the Christmas season, anyone who stops to look and listen must ask some questions about what the hustle and noise is all about. A thoughtful man or woman, seeing the lights, the decorations, the festivities, and the religious services might also conclude, "Something must have happened here!"
Something did happen. Changed BC to AD. And we need to tell the world about it. God has visited our planet. His Son Jesus Christ came to reveal God to man and to die for our sin (Jn. 1:1-14).
It's the best news ever. God became one with us that we might live forever with Him. Therefore we can truly wish others - a Merry Christmas!
The verbal announcement closes in verse 12 by telling where to find the sign that directs people to heaven. “And the sign is for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
The sign was that this baby would be found lying in a manger or literally a feeding trough. There might be a few babies in Bethlehem but all would have a more acceptable place of birth than the Savior of the World.
A sign also points to something beyond itself. If the shepherds found this sign true they were to know that all the other words spoken were true also.
The words swaddling clothes were frequently found in medical works of the time. These same clothes were used as burial wrappings and many homes had them in case someone died, for death could be quick and sudden in this prescience age. It was appropriate that He who was born to die should be wrapped in grave cloth.
What a paradox! The one who holds the world in His hands held in a manger. The Eternal One caught in a moment of time. Omnipresence captured in a baby. Omnipotence cradled in a helpless infant who could not even raise His head from the straw. Omniscience confined in a baby who could not say a word. The Christ who created the heavens and the earth cradled in a manger in a cave stable. What unassuming love! What divine wisdom! What a far reaching grace! For when God drew near a cold, cruel, sinful, suffering humanity, He placed a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The quickest way to the human heart is by way of an innocent little child. In infinite wisdom God planned it thus. And so today the story most loved the world around is the one found in Luke 2:1-20. I encourage you to read it again as a family on Christmas or Christmas Eve.
III. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST (2:13-14)
A heavenly host comes to place an exclamation point upon the announcement in verse 13. “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of Heavenly Host praising God and saying:”
The angel who has been speaking is instantaneously joined by a Heavenly Host. See the picture. The sheep huddled together possibly in a pen. Near them are a few shepherds. Leaning against one of these men is a faithful sheep dog. All of them cautiously looking at the angel. Then, boom! The sky bursts alive with a multitude of praising angels!
Host is the word for army, a common military term for a company of soldiers. This heavenly knighthood is praising not necessarily but probably in song. The angels of heaven can speak with the tongues of men when their Lord becomes man and man is their audience. Though they speak in the tongue of earth their praise is the language of heaven.
Verse 14 contains the praise offered to God and the blessing to man. “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.”
The angel's song above all else is an outpouring of adoration, for a new aspect of God's nature is revealed by His incarnation. This Hymn is called "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" from the first words of the Latin Vulgate (meaning "Glory to God in the Highest").
The birth of Jesus meant glory to God for God's glorious character as Redeemer would shine in this One's birth, life, death and resurrection, ascension and second Advent. In the highest is a reference to the home of Him who is repeatedly called in the early chapters of Luke, The Highest. I'm sure the angels stood praising in awe of God awesome love and humility. The love so great that the Father would not spare His own Son; that the Son though rich became poor, thought totally pure would vicariously bear the curse of sin; so that the Holy Spirit could dwell in sinful hearts. Any who have but a small realization of what has occurred could not but bow in awe of God's indescribable marvelous love and amazing grace. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 8:9, 9:15).
The angels honored the glory, majesty and love of God by giving praise to Him. If you recognize the glory, majesty and love of God you will give Him praise also.
"And on earth peace among men". The Praise drops to earth and gathers all into one pregnant word, peace. What a scene of strife, discord, and unrest earth must appear to those calm spirits of Heaven. Peace is the gift God offers through the incarnate Lord. Christ's work is to bring peace into all human relations; relationships with God, men, and circumstances, and to calm the soul's own warring within man. All discord is caused by sin and only sin's removal can rectify them. This physical birth is the coming alive in human flesh He who brings peace with God, with ourselves, with one another, and with our circumstances.
The Roman world was experiencing the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) marked by external tranquility. But the angels proclaimed a deeper, a more lasting peace, a peace of mind, and soul made possible by one’s relationship to the Savior, Christ the Lord. Christ came to bring peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and peace to individuals who follow His will. And when the Prince of Peace returns again He will bring world wide peace.
Notice to whom God’s peace is extended. "Peace on earth among men with whom He is well pleased." [Goodwill is never used in New Testament to mean man's goodwill but God's goodwill]. Real peace on earth exists only among those who are the subjects of God's goodwill, who are characterized by good will toward God and man. God's good pleasure does not rest on all people for all do not follow His will. God is well pleased only with those who follow His revealed will.
With Christ, God is well pleased and when we are in Christ, He is well pleased with us also. What possibilities and potential worth men must have for God to offer so much.
The birth of Christ was God's offer of peace to men, peace with God, inner peace and peace toward one another, to all who would live a life pleasing to Him from whom all blessings flow. Jesus is peace for men who will allow themselves to become the objects of God's goodwill. Glory to God in the Highest!
In CONCLUSION
The glory quickly dies off the hillside and the voices of the angels fade in the ears of its first listeners but the notes sung and recorded by Luke still echo in all lands and every generation turns to them with wonder and hope.
The angels appeared by night to make praise and revealed the light and hope of the way out for those darkness. The revelation of the Good News of Jesus Christ has come to a world in darkness by a birth announcement to common life and the rarified glory of God is shown to insignificant people. God reveals Himself to the humble. Are you willing to be the contrite of heart so that He might reveal Himself to you?
The shepherds took leave from their normal duties and hurried off to find and worship this Jesus, who is Savior, Christ, and Lord. As you take time from your economic pursuits this season, will you use your leave to find and worship this Jesus, who is Savior, Christ, and Lord?
The message is that mankind’s Savior has been born should result in God being given glory; the glory living a life that is well pleasing in His sight. May the God of Peace give His peace to you.
