Whatever the reason, God sent His choir of
angels to sing a song of Glory to these shepherds. We sing the wonderful Hymn
that is taken from this scripture in Luke called “Hark The Herald, Angel’s
Sing.” The tune for this classic song was written by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.
The words were written by Charles Wesley. In his life time Charles Wesley wrote
over 6,500 hymns. This one, --- along with “Jesus, Lover of my Soul” --- is
considered to be the finest hymn lyrics Wesley ever wrote.
The 1st stanza focuses on the
birth announcement :
“Hark!
The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful
all Ye Nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies.
With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.”
With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.”
The angel gave an announcement that did
three things for the shepherds that night: The announcement - Calmed their
fear; It created Hope - and It called others to Worship. The best Christmas
announcement we could give this year would be nothing less…for the Christmas
story still does the same today!
The angel said in verse 10 "Do not be
afraid." The shepherd’s had good
reason to be afraid… They didn’t know if this might be an angel come to
pronounce God’s judgment upon them, or
if it was the end of the world! But, it says they were terrified! Is there a
need for calming fear in people’s lives today? I would say there is. The truth
is that we live in a society where people fear many things; Some fear for
personal safety; Some people fear for their provisional security in a world
where their financial future is unknown and their basics needs of life might go
unmet; Will I be cold or warm?... Will I go hungry or be fed? …Will I be able
to make ends meet? Many people fear death and wonder what’s beyond this life?
The reason we can be God’s messenger’s,
helping to calm people’s fears is because of the message we have to share; it’s
a message that creates HOPE – “I bring you good news of great joy”! God has
remembered His promises, and has sent a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. After some 400 years of silence from God, it
would be easy to lose hope… After some 2000 years since the ascension of
Christ, it would be easy to lose hope that He will ever come again… But, the
message of the angels and the message we bring to the world every Christmas is
a message of Hope!
The angels brought a message that would calm
their fears and bring hope, and finally, one that would call for worship and
praise. Our celebration is a call to worship that we might sing and say as the
angels did that first Christmas "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom his favor rests."… Glory to God…who is who He says He
is; and can do what He says He can do!
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