“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:11-14, ESV
How very busy things get! Think of it, shepherds are meeting singing angels, who are meeting people. It must have been pure bedlam! It’s verse 13 that, a very large group of angels made their entrance that night. Human history is being made now, and the world has now been forever changed.
These are not quiet or stoic angels, rather they are a multitude of music, they’re filled with a bubbling joy that can’t be contained.
And as happy as this ‘angel crowd’ gets, it doesn’t phase them that God in heaven is now wrapped in human flesh and has been born in a manger. Every angel and almost every person understands– this isn’t the place to have babies!
(Angels being angels, I think they were not thrilled with this grim hospitality being shown to God. They probably said some ‘un-angelical’ things under their breath.)
But this doesn’t matter, can you just imagine this swarm of angels descend on the stinky stable?
And they are ecstatic, belting out at the top of their lungs songs of worship and praise. The squalid environment isn’t a problem for them. The cow manure, sheep feces, and filthy straw can all be smelled, but that means nothing at this moment.
Friends, I must confess–my heart is very much like this dirty stable.
Everything seems so filthy, and the smell makes my eyes water, and the flies are thick and everywhere. It is all so sad, and pathetic. There are many others with clean, white hearts, why should He choose my heart to abide?
He must clean me, wash me with His hot red blood. (1 John 1:9)
The choir is singing now, and all of them are in deep, wondrous worship. They belt it out with the enthusiasm of rabid fans at a World Cup soccer game. But I examine my heart I see so many issues, some things that are actually destroying me. I’m glad He’s all powerful and all loving–all the time and forever and ever. He alone can change me.
But the angels, well, they just keep singing.
Perhaps (maybe) we need to take the hint?
“Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born king.” Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
