Luke 2:13

New International Version (NIV)

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

For Meditation

A group of students at McKinley Tech High School in Washington, D.C. were surprised when the former President of the United States of America dropped in on their class in September 2017. “You don’t mind me crashing, right?” Obama asked. Later, the former President said he felt “hopeful about the future.” I am sure the President’s visit will continue to encourage the students throughout their lives.

The Bible is filled with many of such surprises, but my favorite is the night the angelic choir surprised the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. Just an ordinary night for the men in their routine flow of things, and suddenly, an angel appears to announce the birth of “a Savior” who is “Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11). Before they could get their thought together, “Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (14).

I am not sure the shepherds did mind the angels crashing in on their tepid night. The Messiah was born and they were privileged by the divine announcement with angelic orchestra accompaniment. But why the choir?

Every great event deserves a celebration, and no event on earth deserves it better than the day God took on flesh and entered the world as an ordinary baby. Jesus came with a mission – to save the world from sin and to call us back to God. That trumps any deal on earth. It is “Glory to God in the highest” and peace on earth for the recipients of His grace.

Heaven was tumultuous, but the world was cold and asleep. The only attentive people were those shepherds who were “Keeping watch over their flock” (Lk. 2:8). The Chief Shepherd had come and the poor shepherds were called to join in the heavenly celebration. Let the party begin!

And the party continues today till Jesus comes back for His flock.

1. Have you joined the celebration?
2. Are you rejoicing that Jesus crashed in on your party?
3. Why don’t you call your family and friends to come and join you?
4. Why don’t you share your joy with those around you?
5. Why don’t you also surprise somebody today with the Good News?

The angelic Choir brought the joy of heaven to the shepherds that day. The shepherds hurried in search of the Godchild, and when they had seen Him, they “spread the word” (17).

May you who have heard the song of the heavenly choir and received the peace the Savior has wrought in your heart, move swiftly to announce the Good News to all who will listen; and may your joy result in praise and glory to God in Christ(20). Amen!

Shalom.