Celebrate

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

CELEBRATE

Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

NIV

Yes, Jesus came in the most humble of circumstances but his Father wanted to celebrate the birth of the Son. Although it is true that Jesus has always been and was in fact at the beginning and that all which was created was created by him. We know this because of the Gospel according to John. Yet the Father had Jesus come to earth as a baby, fully human although he is also fully God. A mystery we may not fully understand but nevertheless it is the truth. So at this event, when it did happen the Father had to celebrate by sending his angels, a great company of them to earth appearing to, not the greatest of men, but to these shepherds watching over their flocks. We know that Jesus spent his life among the common people as well. He did not ask for audiences before kings, but spoke to the people. His early life was among the town people of Nazareth as the son of a carpenter. So here we see the Father bringing news of his Son to the common working class men, in the field. Is this our life lesson? We could focus on the birth of Jesus, our Savior, but we could also focus on the whole of the event. God focused on the ordinary people, not the high and mighty leaders of nations. That is not to say we should ignore them and exclude their need of the Gospel, but it does show us that we should certainly not ignore the common people either. It also shows us we are that common people, the working class and that God wants us to enter into the celebration of the birth of the Son. It is possible the Father could send a host of angels to us to announce this event to someone, but it is most likely he leaves that up to us, as the Son has told us to go into the world and tell everyone the Good News. We have become the host of angels in a sense, and we should be shouting “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” There is another truth here which does bear some thought. The phrase, “on whom his favor rests” is also translated, “on whom he is pleased” which could imply God is pleased with only some men, and not with others and that only his peace applies to those he is pleased with? How do we become men in whom he is pleased with? That answer is simply, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God is pleased with us and he favor, which the Greek word carries the meaning, his delight, his satisfaction, his pleasure, rest on us. This is an incredible truth. When we accept Jesus, we are experiencing the delight of God He is satisfied with us. He is delighted that we are now his children and that he will be able to enjoy our company for all of eternity. That is the very reason he created Adam, to have fellowship with him. So as we enter into his rest, he is satisfied and delighted because he will have fellowship with us. It is no wonder he celebrated the birth of Jesus with a host of angels. Life in Christ is a celebration of both us and of God. Let us celebrate! Let us celebrate ever day of our life because we are in Christ and it delights God.