Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8–14
Reflection
Life was hard for the Israelites. As Shaun Selman said in the December 1 reading, the times were bleak. The country had turned away from God, even though they were still performing the religious practices. Just before this passage, Luke 2:1 records that Caesar Augustus had given an order that they had to follow. Caesar Augustus was a Roman emperor, not a king in Jerusalem. The Israelite people would have known that they needed help; they needed a Savior. This passage records that the heavenly messenger came to announce that a Savior had come. Help is here!
This scene is very familiar to the Christmas story. The shepherds are core figures in the nativity, and many people romanticize the idea of shepherds being at the birthplace of Jesus. In the context of the birth of Jesus, shepherds were ritually unclean, usually poor, dirty, and regarded as dishonest. The shepherds were not the group one would expect to have received the announcement that the Savior had come. However, the Lord entrusted the news to those whom society did not value. This was a signal that the Kingdom of God was different from what anyone expected. It was not just for the religious elite or those in a palace. The Kingdom of God is for all.
We have made Christmas a time of happiness and cheer—and rightly so—but this should not be simply because it is a season when we find joy in spending time with family and friends. More importantly, it is a time to look to a good God who came to a broken world to be the Savior for all. What was the heavenly hosts’ response? More angels than could be counted appeared and began to sing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” The response was to sing about how incredible God is and what He is doing in the world.
Reflection Questions
- What feelings does Christmas stir in you—joy, stress, nostalgia, longing?
- What were the angels singing about, and why does their message matter today?
- How do you see God? Does your view of Him align with the God revealed in Scripture?
Application
Spend time today reading the lyrics to these four Christmas carols. Notice the theology, the joy, and the worship woven through each one:
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Joy to the World
- Away in a Manger
- The First Noel
Then sing them—alone, with your family, or with friends—focusing on the truth proclaimed in each song.
Additional Scripture for Deeper Study
- Psalm 96:1–4
- Isaiah 9:6–7
- Hebrews 1:6
- Revelation 5:11–12
- Luke 19:37–38
Family Activity
Host a family worship night. Choose a few Christmas carols, dim the lights, and sing together. Talk about why worship is important and how the angels led the way in praising God for the Savior’s birth.