Luke: 2:13-14 (ESV)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Appearance of angels on earth is a rare occurrence in scripture. And when it happens, they are often sent as one or two messengers of God for a particular purpose. But the birth of Jesus was so anticipated and important to the host of heaven that they all came to earth to witness and to glorify God. This was the fulfillment of a promise foretold many times by prophets. The incarnation was the first step on earth for the salvation of man. No wonder all the angels wanted to be present.

This Christmas season my wife and I are spending it home, just the two of us. It has given me time to reflect on past Christmas’s. I was blessed to be brought up in a loving family. As a child, I loved and was loved by parents, grandparents, and siblings. Christmas was a time of rejoicing, exchanging gifts, and praising the birth of Jesus. And as I raised my own family, I was blessed to have many Christmas’s with them. Great memories of times with my two sons as they anticipated and enjoyed this time of the year. Many late nights with “assembly required” gifts for them in preparation for Christmas. Wiring the front doorbell, so I could ring it from within the house after we carefully put presents on the front porch. The look in their eyes was priceless. Then in recent years, watching four grandchildren grow to adulthood as they had the same wonderful time during Christmas. The angels must have had the same feeling of joy when they witnessed the birth.

Heavenly Father, what joy there is in the birth of your son. I know that many have sadness during Christmas with their personal circumstances, but I pray that You would give them joy as they reflect on the birth of Jesus. Without this event, their salvation and the salvation of the world would not be possible. Thank you Jesus for that amazing gift. I am filled with joy. Praying all these things in Your matchless name. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,