Christmas Angels

This morning, our church's children performed their Christmas play.  I think I've seen this one before, but one word especially caught my ear - millions.

Here's the account of the angels visiting the shepherds from Luke:

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.

What is your image of the angels who appeared to say, "Glory to God..."?  Twenty or so?  I think that's about what I had in mind.  I think it may have come from the painting I used to see in various Bible story books.  There are exactly five angels in this picture.

But the Bible says that there was a multitude of angels.  How many in a multitude? 

If I had been any angel in God's presence and Jesus came down from heaven to live in a human body, I would want to be part of the wonder of the moment.  If I were the proud Parent of a new baby Boy, an earth-changing baby Boy, I would use every means at my disposal to make the announcement. 

What if every angel in heaven were present to announce God's Christmas gift to the world? 

And if I were one of the shepherds, that would indeed terrify me.

Just something to think about.

God be with us all, especially as we remember His best gift to us.

Kathi Linz