00:00Day 7 The Heavenly Host
00:08Reflection
00:10As a little girl growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, I can remember my family
00:16all dressed up and going to our Christmas service with beautiful music and candles lit
00:20all throughout the church. My favorite part of the evening was singing along as loud as
00:25we could with the Hallelujah Chorus. Even though it may have only been 100 people to my little
00:31girl ears, it sounded like thousands of loud voices singing and praising God. My best memories
00:37at every Christmas Eve service were of my mother singing the last solo of the evening before
00:41the entire group stood to sing all the traditional Christmas hymns loud and strong. She had such
00:48a beautiful, sweet soprano voice and sounded like an angel. Do you have any family traditions
00:54you enjoy with your children on Christmas morning? One of our family traditions is reading the
01:00Christmas story. Because of my singing background, I smile with the verses about the angels appearing
01:06to the shepherds and loudly singing to proclaim the good news of the baby born in a manger.
01:11Luke tells us in Luke 2 verse 8-18, Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of
01:18shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the
01:24Lord stood in front of them and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light, the shining light of
01:30God's glory. They were terrified. Messenger, don't be afraid. Listen. I bring good news, news of great joy,
01:40news that will affect all people everywhere. Today, in the city of David, a liberator has been born for you.
01:47He is the promised anointed one, the supreme authority. You will know you have found him
01:54when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. At that moment,
01:59the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers, a vast heavenly choir.
02:06They praised God. Heavenly choir, to the highest heights of the universe, glory to God.
02:12And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God.
02:17As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with
02:22conversation. Shepherds, let's rush down to Bethlehem right now. Let's see what's happening.
02:30Let's experience what the Lord has told us about. So they ran into town and eventually they found
02:36Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the feeding trough. After they saw the baby, they spread the
02:42story of what they had experienced and what had been said to them about this child. Everyone who heard
02:48their story couldn't stop thinking about its meaning. Have you ever wondered what the shepherds must have
02:55experienced that special Christmas night? Suddenly, the first angel suddenly appeared. Such a brilliant light
03:04must have shown that they were consumed with fear. The first words from the angel to the shepherds
03:10were encouraging, Fear not! But this mighty angel would not be alone in delivering the good news for
03:17very long. I picture this scene as if the people involved were like the actors of a Broadway musical's
03:23opening night, just waiting with anticipation and excitement in the wings of the stage for their
03:28cue to enter. With boldness, the first angel speaks the cue found in Luke 2 verse 12.
03:34You will know you have found him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough.
03:39Can't you just see it? Company of angels finally hears their cue and designated time to join in the
03:46celebration and shout out the good news of the Savior arriving on earth. What a blessing to be able to
03:52bring the good news of a Savior born for all people. In the hymn, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,
03:59the lyric shares the entire purpose of the angel's message. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,
04:05Glory to the Newborn King, Peace on Earth and Mercy Mild, God and Sinners Reconciled.
04:11God's angels are messengers from heaven to the humans on earth. The angels proclaim to the shepherds,
04:17finally reconciliation between God and sinners on earth. Hallelujah! It's amazing to me that out of
04:25all the ways God could have been announced and chosen to come, he chose to reveal the announcement
04:30to the common shepherds and, most importantly, to arrive as a helpless baby. After the angels
04:36disappeared, the scripture says the shepherds rushed into town to find the newborn baby, the Savior of the
04:42world. Once they saw the baby Jesus, they shared the story of wonder and the newborn Savior with
04:48everyone they could. The angels were the messengers who passed the good news on to the shepherds and
04:54they, in turn, passed the message on to the people in their community. Isn't it so true when you have
05:00the good news of Jesus, you've just got to share the joy and excitement of salvation? Pray, dear God,
05:06you are such a loving God to choose to come to the earth for me as a baby. I long to be a messenger
05:12of the good news to others, but so often I fall short of time and courage. Right now, I'm asking
05:18for you to use me in any way you desire this Christmas season to shine the light of your love
05:23to others. I long to be a positive witness for your glory. Thank you for sending the angels to the
05:30lowly and poor shepherds to remind me that, no matter who we are, you care and reach out to
05:35everyone who is willing and available to listen to your message of hope and peace.
05:39To you alone goes all the glory.
