#angels — Advent — Founded on the Bible

Luke 2:8-18 NLT

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished…

This is the seventh of nine blogs of our Advent series and today we will focus on the people who could testify that Jesus was born. The question we will ask is, does God make Himself accountable to others?

The impossible happened!

In the stillness of the night, Joseph helped Mary bring Jesus into the world. I feel it safe to assume that the angels, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit were present. A virgin gave birth to a baby boy! God didn’t keep it a secret, either! Whenever our God does something, He always makes sure there are plenty of witnesses. What does the Bible record?

Looking for eyewitnesses

If we had a birds eye view above the stable, we would see flocks of sheep guarded by shepherds under the moonlight. God chose the humble shepherds as witnesses to this miraculous event. Unlike the religious leaders of the Law, they would tell the truth and spread the news.

Be on the lookout!

All of a sudden, a brilliant light flashed before the men’s eyes and an impressive heavenly creature hovered over the field. As they trembled at the sight, the angel told them not to be afraid. He had good news to give to them. Not far from where they were standing, a child has just been born. He was the Messiah. He was born today in Bethlehem. They would find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger where animals are fed.

Heavenly support

As backup, an entire host of angels appeared out of nowhere who verified the messenger angel’s words. Even the messenger angel had witnesses who could testify of this account.

Validation

Astonished that angels would appear to them with such an amazing message, the shepherds hurriedly located the parents and the baby. Verse 20 tells us that the shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God for all they had heard and seen. All the facts were validated and it happened exactly as the angel had told them.

Newsflash

Family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors were all told about the miraculous encounter. Everyone recognized how God’s favor rested on Mary and Joseph. All of Bethlehem was astonished when they heard that the baby she gave birth to was the Messiah! God was among them and for them!

How does this relate to us? God’s character never changes. He holds Himself accountable to do what He promised. The facts of the matter will be established and there will always be honest witnesses to verify the facts.

Let’s pray:

Father,

Your word is truth because You are truth. Thank You for establishing the testimony of Jesus’ birth by many witnesses, in heaven and on earth. Thank You for Your example of accountability. In everything I say and do, I take responsibility. I am accountable to You and to my fellow man. In Jesus name, Amen.