Advent Day 21

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger."

    ~Luke 2:13-16

When I imagine the heavenly host, I immediately go to sight. The brightness of their splendor. But what a cacophony they must have sounded. A multitude of voices but joined in one heart. One voice of praise to God. Did the earth vibrate with the number of voices being lifted up to heaven? 

The shepherds were completely surrounded by praise. 

And yet this magnificent moment is not the main event. The angels are responding to the birth of Jesus, and their praise is merely a precursor to the glory of seeing God Himself lying in a manger. To the glory of God bringing peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased.

And when the angels leave, the shepherds do not pause and process what just happened but are immediately moved to action. While processing is often a good thing, it can also cause us to delay. God gives us times to wait and times to move boldly in faith, and when God appears and makes Himself known, it's time to move in boldness. Even if we don't understand fully. The blessing is waiting, obedience is pulling at our hearts, and sometimes it has a window of opportunity. It's time to follow Him. The shepherds were faithful in their responsibilities as shepherds, and yet they were willing to be interrupted by the divine and to leave their position with eagerness to seek their Savior. And Jesus was found by them (Jer. 29:14a) just as the angel proclaimed.