The Angel's Song

Read: Luke 2:8-20
 
An Ordinary Audience – verses 8-9
     There was a group of very ordinary men and boys given the task of caring for the sheep of several families. On a quiet, typical night, they were faithfully tending their flock. The Amplified Bible describes the scene this way. "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them…" They had their own fireworks display!

• God may not provide you with a private fireworks display to speak to you, but while tending to your ordinary tasks, God has a message for you from His Word. What is God saying to you today?

 
An Extraordinary Message – verses 10-12 
      We all love to receive good news, news that brings true joy.  But too often, our lives are filled with fear and circumstances that deplete us of our happiness. The angels assured the shepherds there was nothing to fear, and they were directed to the source of joy, the promised Saviour, Jesus.  

• What is depleting you of joy? Take some time to remember why Jesus came to earth, what He did through His life, death and resurrection. Thank Him for the seemingly small and ordinary things in your life; they may become the Extraordinary. You will find your joy will grow.

 
A Heavenly Song – verses 13-14
      Each song we have looked at begins by singing praise to our God.
 This song then moves into a declaration of peace to those who please our Heavenly Father.  Joy and peace go hand in hand.  When we find contentment and joy, we find peace in our souls. Philippians 4: 4-7 gives excellent advice on finding that peace.   We are instructed to Rejoice in everything, don't be Anxious about anything, Pray about everything, Give Thanks always. 

• Read those verses and the instructions from Philippians again.  Is there one area in which you need to work?   

 
An Eager Heart – verse 15
     The shepherds had immediate faith, trust and obedience in the Angel's song and God's message. The shepherds responded quickly to the astonishing and unexpected message from God.  With anticipation, they said, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

• I need to ask myself: Do I respond to God's leading immediately, with complete trust and faith in what He has told me to do.  Am I eager to obey?

 
A Willing Proclamation – verses 16-18
     The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the young family and Jesus in the manger just as the angels described. However, many did not believe the shepherds as they repeated what the angels had told them and what they themselves saw in Bethlehem. 

• Do you find it difficult to tell others about the Lord Jesus.  Does it seem like the message of the Good News falls on deaf ears?  We are commanded to proclaim the good news; we are not responsible for those who do not believe.  We never know when the message we have shared will find its way into the heart of our friends and family.   

 
A Full Heart – verse 19
    We each have precious memories that we treasure, moments with loved ones now in heaven, and hard-earned accomplishments are just a couple of the memories we may cherish.    Mary seemed to recognize the importance of each moment she was experiencing. 

• Ask God to help you to treasure the moments in your life. Some will be difficult; some will be joyous.  But all will help grow our faith and our character.     

    
Back to an Ordinary Life – verse 20
    These ordinary men and boys had experienced an extraordinary evening full of the unexpected.  We can only imagine how these events shaped their future.  What we do know is that they returned to their ordinary life glorifying and praising God.  Their careers may not have changed, nor their responsibilities. However, they now understood how well God knew them, that He cared for them, and that He would always be with them. They would continue to glorify Him.

• Is there an area in your life where you need assurance that God cares? Acknowledge Him in that area today.  Strive to glorify and praise Him daily and watch what will happen in your life.