This meditation on the birth of Christ I originally wrote in December of 2003 for the newsletter my wife was compiling for our homeschool network.  I am offering it again, now slightly updated, for your consideration and inspiration during this Christmas season. May we all be blessed as we contemplate afresh the glorious mystery of Immanuel, “God with us!”

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What Did the Angels See?

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.'”
Luke 2:13-14

We have all viewed the birth of Christ from our own varied and unique perspectives.  Our own particular circumstances, experiences, traditions, and spiritual perceptions have shaped our views.  Among those who were most closely connected with the actual event two thousand years ago, there existed a multitude of perspectives, as well.  There was the perspective of Mary.  There was that of Joseph.  There were also those of the innkeeper, the shepherds, Herod, and a host of others in that day.  How these all differed from one another!

There is one perspective, though, that I think we should especially take time to contemplate:  that of the angels.  What did the angels see as they peered down from the heavens on the baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem. What was it that inspired their heavenly song…
“Glory to God in the highest…”?

Let’s consider for a moment what they saw transpiring before their eyes:

The One who created all things, seen and unseen,
was now stepping into His creation.

The One whose being embodies Eternity,
was now confining Himself to the constraints of time.

The One whom even the highest heavens cannot contain,
was now restricted within the womb of a peasant girl.

The One exalted forever as the Most High King of Kings,
was now being born in a lowly stable.

The One who alone is Omnipotent,
was now a frail human baby.

The One who is all Wisdom, Knowledge, and Truth,
was now needing to grow and to learn on His mother’s knee.

The One who is Heir of all things,
was now come to live as the poorest of the poor.

The One resplendent in all Majesty and Glory,
was now taking a form that would have no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him.

The One who alone is Holy,
was now come to be made sin.

The One who is Life,
was now come to die.

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On that glorious night, so long ago, the Bethlehem skies broke forth with heavenly waves of angelic worship…

“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST…!“

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May we take time to consider their “heavenly song”!
As we do, let us also contemplate this…
that we, who have been redeemed by this Holy Child,
have a song which even the angels cannot sing!
Selah!

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