Key Passage: Luke 2: 8 - 14

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!”

What the angels came to announce was the earth’s most joyful news: the ruined world now has hope and the fallen and depraved humanity now has a Savior, Deliverer, Restorer, Strengthener, Sanctifier, Burden Bearer and Healer. In the incarnation of Christ, the hidden glories of God’s nature and His design for man’s redemption were manifested.

All Heaven was marveled at the great love that provoked the great Gift of the Son of God that the angelic hosts placed aside their weapons of war and took up the instruments of praise to celebrate the newborn King. A King whose glory, unlike the kings of this world, is manifested in humility: “wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger,” but who has opened the door of mercy and restoration to all mankind.

The angels rendered a heavenly doxology - “Glory to God in the highest!” and a felicitation to the earth - “And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” God is worthy to receive the highest praise for He has through Christ given mankind true peace. We can now enjoy intimate fellowship with God and live with mutual love and goodwill with fellow humanity. We all must therefore join the angels in this ascendant praise because Christ means to us more than we could comprehend, and he has done for us more than we deserve.

Make this a season of praise and lift up the name of the Almighty who has been so good and kind to us all. Show the goodwill of Christ our King by being a blessing to someone else. Send a gift of love to a person in need. Pray for a neighbor in distress. Visit and encourage someone who is downcast. Let the sweet fragrance of Jesus spread.

Pray: Fill my heart Lord with the fragrant love of Christ; help me to praise You and never cease.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi