MANIC
ANGELS!
Luke 2:8-14
8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night.
9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord.
12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.
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, good will toward men.
I
am chuckling to myself even as I type this morning because of my use of
the word manic in describing these angels. I chose the word because the
dictionary definition is [1] excitement of psychotic proportions accompanied by
disorganized behavior and elevated mood [2] excessive enthusiasm. This is, to
me, the only explanation for a sky full of angels visiting a handful of
shepherds.
Excessive
enthusiasm
aptly describes the mood of the angels on the night Jesus was born. God’s
program of redemption lay sleeping in the straw. All of heaven rejoiced in an
explosion of excitement. Dignity, glory, honor, praise and worship belonged to
the Lord! Harmonious bursts of praise filled the night sky.
The
angel of the Lord composed himself just long enough to explain to the
shepherds this excited heavenly outburst. “Sorry to startle you but something
wonderful has just happened! Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a
savior which is Christ the Lord. And you will find him wrapped in strips of
cloth resting in a manger.”
Glory
to God in the highest
had been the angels’ song since before the foundation of the world. Now they
added a pronouncement of peace on earth and goodwill to men. The Prince of
Peace had come and there would be marvelous changes take place on earth. Men
who slumbered in darkness had seen a great light. These were tidings of great
joy to all people. This is the true excitement of Christmas. It is the reason
for every carol sung and every twinkling light strung on every tree. It is our
dim attempt to replicate the angels’ praise. The most dazzling efforts of man
pale in comparison.
Dear
Lamb of God, my soul rejoices with the angels. May each reader today experience
the excessive enthusiasm which comes from knowing their sins are forgiven. AMEN
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