Saturday's Snippet

Luke 2:8-11

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.

Good morning, and a Sweet Saturday to you all!

Yesterday, I read and blogged about those who submitted themselves to the will of God as it related to the birth of Jesus Christ. Today, I read on through Luke 2, another chapter filled with events from that special time long ago. Once again, I am transported back through my imagination wondering, just what was it like that night?

I've always thought about the shepherds who were just doing their normal duties when, all of a sudden, an angel pays them a visit. The Bible says they were "sore afraid". Sounds like they might have been shaking in their shoes at such a sight. Then, the message delivered to them...."I bring you good tidings of great joy..... unto you is born this day....a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Their ordinary night became extraordinary, to say the least!

It has always amazed me that the Lord chose the message of His birth to be heralded early on to lowly shepherds. This morning it sort of registered that the One who was the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" would make sure that shepherds tending their sheep were included on the newborn baby's guest list. Some things touch me in a deep way, bringing tears to my eyes, and this is one of those.

Not only did ONE angel visit the shepherds with their flocks that night, but a "multitude of the heavenly host" (Luke 2:13) appeared...."praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14) What a choir! Surely the sky was illuminated with a brightness these shepherds had never seen before. Imagine the sound of that choir!!! Awesome. Awesome.

Christ the Savior WAS born for the purpose of living among men, feeling their pain, and ultimately giving His life as a sacrifice for all our sins. He is no longer in a manger for He lives forever on high, but He IS coming again soon with power and glory, to take away His chosen people! The choir on the night of baby Jesus' birth might have been astounding, but when the Lord returns for His bride, now THAT's going to be a time of immense joy!

I'd like to include the lyrics to an old Christmas song:

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

by Edmund Hamilton Sears (words - 1849)

and Richard Storrs Willis (music - 1859)

Verse One

It came upon a midnight clear

That glorious song of old

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on the earth, good will to men

From heaven's all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing

Verse Two

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled;

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world:

Above its sad and lowly plains

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever o'er its Babel sounds

The blessed angels sing

Verse Three

O ye beneath life's crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow;

Look now, for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing;

Oh rest beside the weary road

And hear the angels sing.

Verse Four

For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophets seen of old,

When with the ever-circling years

Shall come the time foretold,

When the new heaven and earth shall own

The Prince of Peace, their King,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing.

Within this song, I find three important messages: 1) rejoice that Jesus was born; 2) pause during your sojourn through life to hear the angels sing; and, 3) anticipate the return of our Lord and Savior, the Prince of Peace, Our King!!!

Have a sweetly blessed Saturday, and I sure hope you hear the angels sing!!

Until tomorrow, Lord willing, when we meet again to share another spoonful!