“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” “ When the angels had left them and had gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had see him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) Although the shepherds witnessed a glorious scene, they were terrified when the angel appeared. This is understandable. Afterall, how many of us startle when something unexpected emerges from the dark? However, when the angel appeared, notice how the glory of the Lord shone around both the angel and the shepherds. A beautiful symbolism exists here. We now have the opportunity to stand in the holy presence of God because of the birth of baby Jesus and his future sacrifice on our behalf. Through Christ, we are now counted as co-heirs in God’s rich inheritance. Indeed, this is cause for rejoicing.
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“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” “ Luke 2: 1 – 14 (NIV) For many of us, shepherds are associated with the birth of baby Jesus. Afterall, most Christmas manger scenes usually display shepherds and sheep along with Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and the wise men. Even Christmas carols such as “Away in the Manger,” give a nod to the shepherds in their verses. Luke reveals in verse 9 of this second chapter how an angel of the Lord appeared before shepherds, announcing the birth of a Savior who is Messiah and Lord. After the sharing of this Good News, a multitude of heavenly hosts materialize with the angel and praise God. Well familiar with this passage, my breath caught in my throat as I read with new eyes. Suddenly, a glimpse of heaven opened before me. I found myself not wanting to rush through this moment but revel in it’s beauty and wonder. Is anyone else blown away at the thought of witnessing a great company of angels praising God? I can only imagine how glorious a sight and sound this must have been. What a foretaste of heaven! “The child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.”
Luke 1: 80 (NIV) The first chapter of Luke closes with a reference to the development and maturation of John the Baptist. “The child grew and became strong in spirit.” Simple as this statement may be, it reveals great depth about John the Baptist’s spiritual life. As his body matured physically, John the Baptist’s spirit also grew in strength. This strengthening of spirit was critical for John the Baptist for him to fulfill Gabriel’s prophecy and prepare the way of the Lord. Also remember, Gabriel told Zachariah that his son would “go on before the Lord in the spirit and strength of Elijah.” Elijah was one of the Bible’s greatest prophets. He performed many miracles and was used mightily by God to turn His people back to Him. In fact, Elijah was so great and favored by the Lord that he did not die an earthly death but was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. Yet, with all he accomplished, Elijah’s strength did not originate from himself but from the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. “His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:67-79 (NIV) One detail we should not miss, is what Zachariah’s first spoken words were after a nine-month vocal sabbatical. “Immediately, his mouth was opened, and his tongue set free, and he began speaking, praising God (Luke 1:64, NIV).” What excitement, praise, wonder, and awe Zachariah must have stored up in his heart after nine months of enforced silence. To have been in the presence of an angel, heard the words of the heavenly host, and have watched his wife throughout her growing pregnancy to the birth of his son, one can only imagine how Zachariah must have been literally bursting out in praise and worship to God! “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’ Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.” ~Luke 1:57-66 (NIV) ... “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”
Luke 1:56 (NIV) We are told Mary stayed with Elizabeth for almost three months. This means Mary was with Elizabeth during her cousin’s last trimester of pregnancy. Can you imagine the rich fellowship these two women shared? My mind reels thinking about the conversations which transpired between Elizabeth, who is the mother of the one preparing the Way and Mary, who is the mother of the one who is the Way. “And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1: 46-55 (NIV) In this first chapter of Luke, both Mary and later Zachariah sing songs of praise. I find it interesting Luke records the songs of Mary and Zachariah, both of whom met and spoke with the angel Gabriel. The point of this is simple. Those who have stood in the presence of the Lord and who have believed cannot help but praise God and give Him glory. They come away with awe, wonder, and rejoicing at His goodness, His might, and His power. “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:39-45, NIV After Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, Luke informs us how Mary readied herself to visit her cousin Elizabeth. In fact, the Scriptures tell us, she “hurried” to see her. No doubt, Mary was eager to see her cousin so the two of them could share their miraculous experiences and heavenly encounters together. Meditations on Luke “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:35-38, NIV The angel, Gabriel, just finished explaining to Mary how she would miraculously conceive. Now, he gives her the reason why. “So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.” If this did not make Mary’s head real, Gabriel continues.” Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her 6th month.” Meditations on Luke “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:29-35, NIV This meeting between Gabriel and Mary holds similarities to the one which occurred six months prior with Zachariah. Both instances involve the foretelling of an unlikely pregnancy with Gabriel as the messenger. Yet one of the primary differences begins in the greeting itself. Where with Zachariah, Gabriel immediately addressed the priest’s fear, with Mary the angel first issued a blessing. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) |
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