10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
- P124
19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
- P125
An angel of the Lord announces the news of the Messiah’s birth to shepherds in nearby fields. A great host of angels then appears and praises God before them. As modern-day believers, we tend to romanticize shepherding, but in Jesus’ time, shepherds were thought to be at the bottom of the social ladder. The fact that these men receive the angelic announcement is great news for all of us. - P126
Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances as a sign to us: only those who realize their need for the Messiah qualify for His gracious invitation of salvation. And then, as a natural result, we join with the heavenly host, praising the God whose favor rests on the lowly and the undeserving. - P126
When the shepherds go and see Jesus, a newborn in a manger in Bethle-hem, their response is most natural. They cannot help but immediatelygo and tell anyone they find that the Savior has been born. But Mary, theevents differently by privately ponderingthe goodness of God. - P126
As we reflect on what Christ has done for us thisChristmas season, we are invited to do both. We are toare to delight and declare,
process and proclaim, glorifying and praising God by having fellowshipwith believers and by witnessing to those who do not know Jesus. - P126
Dear heavenly Father, when I consider how Jesus became man and was born in that manger for me, my heart wells up in praise. May that praise fuel me to share this good news with others, from those who know You to those who don’t. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P127
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