Angels Announced the Birth of Jesus

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

One of the stories, or parables as they are known, that Jesus narrated was about a king who sent out invitations to his son's wedding banquet. Now, the story tells us that those who were invited went about their normal day and did not pay attention to the invite.

The king then sent his servants out again and this time, inviting everyone they could find -- the blind, the lame, the deaf, the mute, the poor, the sick, the downtrodded, and the good for nothing.

In the time of Jesus, shepherds were one of the lowliest of occupations and social status. But the Lord seemed it best to send His angels to a group of shepherds, to tell them of the good news of the birth of the messiah. And like the blind, the deaf and the lame, they heeded the invite and told themselves "we need to go to Bethlehem" (the House of Bread), and we need to see the Savior of the Lord".

Today, all of us called to be God's children are like these angels -- called to tell everyone of the good news of the messiah, and also like the lowly shepherds -- called to give time to come see Him, spend time with Him and worship Him.

"O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord"