Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

The Annunciation to the Shepherds

c. 1555 - Oil on Canvas

Samuel H. Kress Collection, National Gallery of Art

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I can't stop thinking about the fact that the Good News of the birth of the Savior of the world, that God became human to dwell among us, was first brought to the lowliest - the shepherds.  God did not first send His messengers with the Good News to the highest courts, the rich, and the famous. Angels appeared out of nowhere, to the middle of nowhere - to shepherds, who were understandably terrified at their sudden appearance.


'In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' - Luke 2:8-11 NASB

Imagine - the angels were telling the shepherds that Jesus' birth was good news for ALL people, including them! '...there has been born for you a Savior...' They were personally being delivered a message of HOPE.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

'...Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. '  - Philippians 2:6-11

 'He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.' - John 1:10-13 NIV

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Pondering the amazing grace of God, who sent His one and only Son to rescue us from sin and death and give us a joyful, abundant life.


'Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.' - John 8:12 NASB

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Hark! The herald angels sing
'Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.' 

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of righteousness
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings

Mild he lays his glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing
'Glory to the newborn King!'   

 

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