Tag: angels

While Shepherds Watched…

Karla Lees

While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
And glory shone around

God decided to let the lowly know before the mighty that Good News was just around the corner in the Christmas story.

Notice the angel didn’t show up again in the Holy of Holies as He did with Zechariah, father of John, but the King of Kings was announced to a humble group of shepherds with all the fanfare of celebration you would come to expect from a statesman with might and power!
“

Fear not,” he said,
For mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.”

And like most of us, when we see something of beauteous wonder, we tremble with fear.

Those shepherds were no different than us in their immediate reaction, but the carol reminds us to focus on the message, so we don’t miss the Good News!

“To you in David’s
Town this day
Is born of David’s line
The Savior who is Christ the Lord
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign.”

“The heavenly Babe
You there shall find
To human view displayed
And meanly wrapped
In swathing bands
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid.”

Here is the best part of this carol in my opinion….

The shepherds were not only told the prophecy of Messiah was coming true, but where to find Him!

And He was in their midst, within arms reach! 

Thus spake the seraph,
And forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song
Addressed their joyful song

“All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!”

Not only have these shepherds just heard the Good News live from an angel, with directions of how to meet their Messiah, they are then treated to a wonder no one else recorded in the Word has ever enjoyed – a heavenly chorus of angels singing Gloria!

For not even the angels can keep from offering God His due for the arrival of Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us. The Messiah promised through the ages, present with His people.

May we too continue to proclaim the Good News this Christmas to a world full of people who need to see the Light in all His wonder!

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Historical Background:

This carol was written in 1703 by Nahum Tate (poet in residence to Queen Anne) and Nicholas Brady. This was one of the first paraphrased pieces from Scripture outside of the psalms to be sung in the Church of England.

Born is the King

Karla Lees

Born unto us this day a Saviour
Gifted from heaven to a manger
The hope of the world
A light for all mankind
All of the earth rejoice
It’s Christmas time

So lift up your voice and sing out His praise, it’s Christmas!
Born is the King, rejoice in the day! It’s Christmas!
Make a joyful sound, it’s Christmas!
Let His praise resound – it’s Christmas!

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There are many newer Christmas songs which have hit the market over the years…and this is a newer one by Hillsong which appeals to all ages.

For young and old are all bound to share the best news at the tops of their lungs, aren’t they?

Of all the kings ever of earth, only one was a King before He was born on earth.

Jesus stepped out of His Kingship to sleep in a Manger.

God with us, now one of us.

I can only imagine the stunned silence in heaven when Jesus disappeared in one second then reappeared in Mary’s womb.

No wonder the angels decided to give a heavenly show that night of Wonder!

And if Jesus had come today, I believe their song might have sounded a little like this new Carol from Hillsong.

Upbeat, with reverence yet joy filled wonder at what was unveiling before their, and our, eyes!

It is only four days from when we traditionally celebrate His arrival, this King being born to Mary & Joseph, a humble couple who served God with everything they had, despite their own misgivings at being chosen.

The Hope for the world born at Christmas time.

That, my friends, is a song worth singing over, and over, and over!

#praiseHymn

Ding Dong Merrily on High

Karla Lees

Ding Dong! Merrily on High
in heaven the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
is riven with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

One of the most awesome revelations i have ever experienced came to light when I was quite young via the song above.

I had a sense/glimpse of the angels filling heaven singing praise to God.  My hair on the back of my neck stood up. I could almost hear bells along with a chorus of voices beyond imagination.

There was a real sense of awe and majesty hovering, echoing in that flash of a moment, which I later came to believe was a thin place between Heaven and earth.

In that moment was the echo of the Incarnation.

When Heaven met earth in such a powerful way, the world was changed forever.

God came to be with us.

Heaven on earth.

And that miracle?

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

We who know this truth will continue to join with the angels in singing this forever song, which will keep ringing out for eternity.

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

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Historical Background:
Ding Dong Merrily on High was originally called Gloria in Excelsis Deo in Latin.  It is believed to be French in origin and written in the 16th century.

when the stable fills with wonder…the shepherds

Karla Lees

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed…..
The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Luke 2:8-18, 20

If I had drawn the late night sheep watching shift, it would likely take something major to catch my attention…as I have a hard time staying awake late (as I am an early bird!) I am guessing there was one man at watch, who drew the short end of the stick that night.

And when the angel appeared in their midst, its likely he elbowed his fellow sheep herders, struck dumb with terror.

They all were, according to the story.

Once they heard the good news that the Messiah had been born, the shepherds took off immediately to see if what the angel had told them was true.

They found Jesus, Mary & Joseph in the stable, exactly as the angel proclaimed.

Filled with excitement and wonder, they couldn’t keep the story to themselves. Everyone they met, they told their good news.

If they hadn’t made the journey, they would have missed the main event in human history so far –
God with us.

If they hadn’t seen the angelic sights, they would have missed the opportunity to meet Jesus, and worship Him.

As pretty low in society status, the shepherds were always outside of town, in the wild.

While the town slept, God sent angels to the outskirts, to include them in the story.

We too are invited to come.
Catch sight of the wonder awaiting us.
Rejoice with the angels.
Worship Jesus.
God with us.

Tonight, believers everywhere celebrate the birth of Jesus.

“Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to God in the highest.
O come let us adore Him
under the Star of wonder,
star of might,
on this Holy Night.”

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when the sky fills with wonder…the angels

Karla Lees

There was another sight to wonder at, besides the star illuminating Jesus had been born….

There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

-Luke 2:8-14

When an angel suddenly shows up in all their wondrous glory, people take notice.

This being the third angelic sighting of the Advent story, I am struck awe with wonder at how much God has already reached out to people to lay the way for His son’s arrival!

The angel captivated his audience that night with the message of Jesus’ birth, and then the full spectacular angelic event ever recorded so far filled the sky.

Wow!

Seeing and hearing an angelic choir, after hearing one speak to you would be mindbogglingly wonder-full, wouldn’t it?!

Imagine being the angels. I am sure there must have been wonder at what God was doing as they praised God with their song.

But just seeing and hearing the good news isn’t where this story ends, it swiftly moves on to ewe….

#AdventuresinAdvent
#theWhenSeries
#JesusisBorn
#LoveCameDown

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