The angels were celestially shocked when they heard God would send His son Jesus to earth. They were momentarily mortified when they learned He would be born in a barn. But, they were divinely delighted when they were instructed to go to earth and announce His birth.
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However, they fell into an angelic argument over who would be the first to receive the divine disclosure. The Pompous Angel said a king should be the first to hear. After all, this was the birth of the King of kings. The Studious Angel thought the first news should go to the leading Rabbi. Rabbis understand the prophecies about the Messiah. A Rabbi would recognize Jesus’ authenticity. The Levitical Angel wanted this message to go to the High Priest in the Synagogue. God overheard their conversation and summoned them to his throne. He said, “Announce it to these shepherds in the field.”
“To shepherds!” the angels shrieked. “The shepherds are nobodies. We thought you wanted the entire world to know.”
God wanted to sigh and shake His head. Sometimes even angels have difficulty understanding God. Instead of sighing, God simply said, “Trust me. Go tell the shepherds.”
Thus, with ethereal enthusiasm the angels found a small shepherd band just outside Bethlehem and announced, “Joy to the world! The Savior is born! He’s wrapped in ordinary clothes in a barn in town.”
It took a moment for the shepherds to recover from this angelic apparition, but finally one said. “Let’s go see!” They found Jesus just like the angels had said. Then they departed praising God and telling everyone they met about the baby Jesus. At last, the angels understood God’s plan.
One candle in the Advent Wreath is called the Shepherd’s candle. Folk light it in honor of the shepherds, whose love and care for their sheep became examples of God’s love for us. Jesus was the great Shepherd of love. See with what great love God has loved us! (Ephesians 2:4)
You can email Bro. Paris at [email protected].