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"A Look at Angels" - HomeWord - Dec. 3, 2009
A Look at Angels
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. —Luke 2:10-14 (KJV)
Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight over all the earth
Ye, who sang creations story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth
Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
(from Angels from the Realms of Glory)
To the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks, angels appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. Today, we don't need angels to appear in the sky in order to hear the great news of Jesus. We have the Bible, churches, fellow-believers, music, and so much more to know that God became man. In the celebration of Christmas that many primarily see as a time of family gatherings and gift giving, we are blessed to know the real reason for the season!
Today, it's common to see angels displayed on our Christmas trees. Yet, I'm guessing many people don't think much about the "why". Like the other ornaments on the tree, angels look pretty. But, there's so much more to the story!
So, it's worth remembering 2,000 years after the event, that the celebration of Jesus' birth began in a lonely field, to lowly shepherds, who received the news from angels in what must have been one of the most spectacular displays ever seen by human eyes.
GOING DEEPER:
- Why do you think God used angels to announce the birth of Jesus?
- Why do you think the angels appeared specifically to the shepherds? Why not to people who might seem more important?
- If Jesus had been born in our time, to whom do you think the angels would choose to make their announcement?
FAMILY TIME:
Use the content above as your family decorates your Christmas tree this year. Put an angel on the tree and take time to remind everyone of the role the angels played in proclaiming the birth of Jesus.
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