Heavenly Birth Announcement: Luke 2:8-18
“8) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9) And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13) And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “14) Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17) When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.” Luke 2:8-18
The birth announcement of Jesus was proclaimed by angels to shepherds in the region. No wonder, for even King David himself had been a shepherd watching over his flocks by night. Much revelation to David came from God while he was tending his father’s sheep.
As you read the above text, it started with an angel of the Lord standing before a group of shepherds and glory of the Lord shining around them. They were overwhelmed by the sight and became frightened.
Then the angel announced the good news of the birth of the Savior and gave directions as to how to find the newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger.
I am not sure what to make of the mention of His physical clothing, but He was wrapped in righteousness from birth. He was absolutely pure and sinless.
This is a key difference between the first and second Adam. The first Adam was created as a mature sinless adult. His sin and transgression brought a curse on all humanity. Jesus was born as a sinless infant and had to progress through every stage of growth and development while still being without sin. This is huge! His sinless life brought redemption and salvation to humanity. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21)
The multitude of heavenly hosts may have included more than angels. Cherubim and Saraphim may have added their voices to the heavenly choir. It is reminiscent of 1 Peter 1:12 describing how angels themselves were mystified by the prophecies of the coming Messiah.
Following this glorious heavenly visitation, the shepherds made haste to go immediately to Bethlehem and find Mary and the baby Jesus. It undoubtedly caused a stir in Bethlehem.
The descendant’s of King David were all gathered in Bethlehem for the census. They were aware of the prophecies concerning their native town and the birth of the Messiah. (See Matthew 2:6, Micah 5:8 and Isaiah 7:10-16)
And so, the birth announcement did not fall on deaf ears. A chain reaction had begun. Many treasured everything in her heart. She was in the inner loop because of her visitation from Gabriel and time with Zacharias and Elizabeth.
It is most probable that Zacharias and Elizabeth themselves were also in Bethlehem for the census with their own six month old child named “John.” I can only imagine the conversations and stir in Bethlehem during this census among descendants of King David. Something extraordinary was happening!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“8) In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9) And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11) for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13) And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “14) Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15) When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16) So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17) When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18) And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.” Luke 2:8-18
The birth announcement of Jesus was proclaimed by angels to shepherds in the region. No wonder, for even King David himself had been a shepherd watching over his flocks by night. Much revelation to David came from God while he was tending his father’s sheep.
As you read the above text, it started with an angel of the Lord standing before a group of shepherds and glory of the Lord shining around them. They were overwhelmed by the sight and became frightened.
Then the angel announced the good news of the birth of the Savior and gave directions as to how to find the newborn baby wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger.
I am not sure what to make of the mention of His physical clothing, but He was wrapped in righteousness from birth. He was absolutely pure and sinless.
This is a key difference between the first and second Adam. The first Adam was created as a mature sinless adult. His sin and transgression brought a curse on all humanity. Jesus was born as a sinless infant and had to progress through every stage of growth and development while still being without sin. This is huge! His sinless life brought redemption and salvation to humanity. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21)
The multitude of heavenly hosts may have included more than angels. Cherubim and Saraphim may have added their voices to the heavenly choir. It is reminiscent of 1 Peter 1:12 describing how angels themselves were mystified by the prophecies of the coming Messiah.
Following this glorious heavenly visitation, the shepherds made haste to go immediately to Bethlehem and find Mary and the baby Jesus. It undoubtedly caused a stir in Bethlehem.
The descendant’s of King David were all gathered in Bethlehem for the census. They were aware of the prophecies concerning their native town and the birth of the Messiah. (See Matthew 2:6, Micah 5:8 and Isaiah 7:10-16)
And so, the birth announcement did not fall on deaf ears. A chain reaction had begun. Many treasured everything in her heart. She was in the inner loop because of her visitation from Gabriel and time with Zacharias and Elizabeth.
It is most probable that Zacharias and Elizabeth themselves were also in Bethlehem for the census with their own six month old child named “John.” I can only imagine the conversations and stir in Bethlehem during this census among descendants of King David. Something extraordinary was happening!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
