A very Blessed and Merry Christmas to you all!
Tonight let us continue the theme of looking at the songs of Luke’s Gospel. Tonight we heard the words of the host of angels following the announcement of the initial angelic herald. These beloved words have inspired multiple Christmas carols, songs, hymns, including the hymn which we just sang a part of: “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” which was written by Martin Luther. We also use the angels’ song in our liturgy which we sing most Divine services throughout the year in what we call the “Gloria in excelsis” or “glory in the heavens”.
The Words of this angelic annunciation and chorus are full of meaning though it be short in length. The interplay between the shepherds and the angels are filled with the themes which resound throughout the Christmas season and the life of the Church year. Enmity and division between God and Man being ended by reconciliation through a Savior bringing peace. Terror being met with peace and turned to joy, the darkness of evil being dispelled by God’s pure glory and light, humanity’s ignorance and unbelief being turned by God’s revelation to wisdom and faith.
The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks during the night. Darkness surrounding them except perhaps stars and moon if the sky were clear. This is theologically like the world without the direct revelation of the Lord in His Word. The world abides in the darkness of unbelief not giving proper attention to the signs of His light in creation. Then when the Lord bursts into the lives of people with the glory of His presence and His Word…When light meets the darkness suddenly without warning: shock, pupils dilating, confusion, fear. When the holiness of God and the demand of His holy Law meet sinful mankind, the reaction is swift. When the Law strikes properly to convert minds and hearts, it begins with an awe that inspires fear of punishment, a recognition of unworthiness before the righteousness of God. This is described in the very real reaction of the shepherds to God’s reflected glory with the angel. Listen to how it is described in the literal Greek:
“An angel of the Lord came among them and the glory of the Lord shone all around them and they were filled or seized with a terror and great fear.” A “mega” Fear.
The verb described the kind of fear that puts to flight, to flee in terror: that is how great the separation created by man’s sin is to God’s holiness. But behold, the grace of God, sending the angel and angels, with the message: not a message of “yes, cower with fear o sinner”, no, he sends this message: “Don’t be afraid” “Fear not”. And then he explains why they don’t need to fear. In which he explains why you don’t need to be afraid of God. Why by faith your fear over sin is at an end. Why Christmas and the incarnation birth of Jesus is so dear and wonderful.
“Behold I bring you great tidings “euaggelizomai”, that is I bring you the Gospel, the Good News, News of joy, which in the Greek says “Xara megalayn”. Great joy in exchange for your great fear. Why? What makes this good news message so great with joy?
“Because brought forth/born for you this very day, the Savior, is Christ the Lord in the city of David.” Notice the word order. Born FOR YOU. For you. This very day. In the midst of this dark evening, the daylight has come upon you. A Savior, [who] is Christ, that is, the long foretold and promised Messiah, He is also “the Lord”, that is He is God. In other words, God has brought forth of Himself your Savior, your Christ, your Lord and God. And this happened in the city of David, which was understood by the shepherds to be Bethlehem. A sign of His fulfillment of David’s reign.
The sign to them was that they would find, and here the Greek is “Heurisko” that is, to find out for one’s self, to acquire, get, obtain, procure, to meet with after long searching and enquiry or to come upon. This is the same word base as “Eureka”, “I have found it” made famous in the discovery of Gold in California or by Archimedes and taken up as the cry of triumph for any discovery or any mystery revealed. But God is the One who has brought and revealed the gift to be “discovered”: that Savior far more precious than Gold. A new born infant in a feeding trough swaddled in common cloth. In flesh seemingly common to us all but Divine and perfect. A truly Divine mystery to be pondered.
What does this mystery mean to those invited to behold and come to know in the presence of this Christ? Now the angelic chorus rings out. It means that in Jesus Christ is: “The Glory in the heavens to God and [now] upon earth there is peace to mankind and good will and benevolence.” The glory of the heavens has come down upon earth. The heavens and the earth declare the glory of God because He has brought forth the Son of God, our Savior, the Christ, the one who will shepherd His people, who will reign upon the throne of His Father David forever as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace with justice and righteousness with no end having defeated the enemies who dwell in darkness: that is the Devil, death, and sin.
This one of whom the angels sang and heralded to the shepherds, came to be your Savior. He reconciled you to God by His incarnation, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins. He has heralded this to you this night even as He did at your baptism and continues to in His Word. The sign of discovery which makes for your peace is still in Jesus, no longer in the manger, but forever crucified, raised, and ascended. This sign is not unattainable as a far and distant mystery, but you shall find Him wrapped in bread and wine with His body and blood for you to eat and to drink. To come and worship and be filled with His joy and peace by His righteous reign of forgiveness. Then return from here ever glorifying and praising God for what we have heard and seen: our Savior, Christ, the Lord, Amen.
Pr. Aaron Kangas