From the Tongues of Angels
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them … [and] the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. …’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests’” (Luke 2:9-14).
Of course, Christmas is past, and we are forging ahead into the new year, but I found some treasure in this portion of the Christmas story that I just had to share. Plus, I stand by the belief that we should carry the Christmas story with us all year long. God the Light came into the world to rescue us from our darkness! Yes! We need to be reminded of this everyday.
Such wonderful words the angels spoke to the shepherds that night! Words of hope and of promise. Not only did they announce the birth of Jesus, but they also gave them beautiful words of blessing: “great joy for all people” “peace” and “favor.” What goodness came into the world that marvelous night when Christ was born!
I dug into the original Greek language of the New Testament and gained some deeper understanding of these words. “Great joy” carries the familiar meaning of exceeding gladness and happiness, but also ‘calm delight.’ I love how adding ‘calm’ to ‘delight’ seems to steady it. Calmness adds a deeper quality to joy that anchors it. It gives weight to delight in a way that it can rest with us instead of merely bubbling up and away. Great joy, calm delight to all people!
“Peace” implies not just quietness and rest, but also wholeness and prosperity. When the angels proclaimed “on earth peace,” they were giving a blessing for the whole earth to enjoy the goodness of God. That there would be rest that leads to wholeness, the kind of quietness that yields well-being. This is countercultural for sure. The ways of the world and the voice of our enemy say, “Work more! Try harder! Never stop striving!” Yet our God says, “Rest in Me.” “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). God’s declaration of peace offered wholeness and wellness in which we can prosper.
And “favor” means approval, support, and a liking for someone. Such good things: approval, support, and liking. Don’t we all want this from God? Yet at times we become convinced otherwise – that God disapproves of us, that He doesn’t even like us (even though He is supposed to love us!). But here, the angels celebrate His desire for His favor to rest fully upon us.
The angels gave these words of blessing to the shepherds as they heralded the arrival of Jesus our Savior – great joy to all, peace on earth, and favor! They spoke with such words as these men could understand, but surely human words cannot completely convey the fullness of what God released into the world through the birth of Jesus Christ! Indeed, the very glory of God came and dwelt among us!
How I hope you can hear the echo of God’s heart for you in this story! Receive the glad tidings, the good news of His abundant heart of love for all people! Such gifts He released to us through His Son: joy, peace, and favor yielding hope, rest, and well-being. He offers these to you, Dear One! Receive them. And may you be fuelled by His joy, sustained by His peace, and prosper in His favor this day and throughout the year to come!
A Prayer:
Lord God, thank You once again for the good news of Jesus that changed my life. Your light shines over me. May I continue to grow in Your favor, rest in Your peace, and be filled by Your joy all of my days.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
