Reading through the Gospels 12
Luke 2:8-21
Luke 2:8-21 THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS
2-8-20 The shepherds were in the field near Bethlehem keeping watch over their flock to protect them from thieves or wild animals. These flocks were reserved for temple sacrifices. An angel of the Lord appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them. I can imagine what a bright light that must have been surrounding them! Of course they were filled with fear. Just as the angel told Joseph, the angel tells the shepherds not to be afraid and continues with the good news of Jesus's birth. As if one angel were not enough to make such a statement, a multitude of heavenly hosts appear.
Verse 14 is now a hymn called Gloria in Excelsis Deo which is the Latin translation of the first words. The angels praise God in heaven and announcing the blessing of peace on earth among those with whom He is pleased. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (verse 10) Hard! The herald angels sing (verse 14) We sing at Christmas "peace on earth and goodwill to men," but unless we pull out our Bibles we miss the part about the peace being for those whom God is pleased. I can only please God through my faith in Jesus Christ and that faith is a gift, so by myself I cannot please God. Isaiah 9:6 affirms where my peace comes from, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
This was a "silent night, holy night" (verse 8) until the angels came and made everyone alert! The shepherds were SO excited about what they had seen, they couldn't wait to run and tell everyone else. We should be and do the same. We can see all the little things that God does for us, even daily. Do we get SO excited about them? Are we anxious to tell other about them? Oh, come, all ye faithful! (verse 15)
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February 11, 2026 for our Joy in Spite of Stoopidity study
(Luke 2:10 ESV) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
How interesting that now we have holidays colliding again with these randomly chosen Bible verses about JOY. Here we have Christmas for Valentine's Day.
Please pray with me. God, thanks for the glimpse into the past of a collective pause and a reverent silence and how it connects to when You will come again. It is kind of awesome how all of Your Word connects. Amen.
Concordance G5479 chara: χαρά, Pronounced khar-ah' (khar-ah') Meaning joy, gladness, delight, greatly joyful, from the root word G5463 (χαίρω - rejoice); Found 59 times in the Greek New Testament.