Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men
Dear Reader,
Before we get into today’s post, I wanted to wish you a Very Merry Christmas! I pray that this day is a blessing to you and that you find what you need for your spirit with the baby in the manger.
May Christmas hold you tenderly this year, and may your heart be filled with peace and goodwill toward men.
Merry Christmas!
Joyfully yours,
Rev. Kelsey Creech
Hark the Herald
As we celebrate Christmas, we will look together into the presence of Angels (Messengers of God) throughout the Christmas Story. Each of these Herald Angels comes with a message, and each of these messages tells us something of God’s will and agency in the world and in bringing about the Christmas Story.
So far, we’ve read passages from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. An Angel has visited Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph. Today, we read once more from the Gospel of Luke, and we read the classic Christmas Story.
May our ears be opened to this story, that we might witness with fresh eyes the Birth of the Light of the World!
Luke 2:1-20 – The Shocked Shepherds
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
(Luke 2:1-20 QJV)
Commentary
So many carols have been written about these heralds. The angels who show up to sing to the shepherds star in Christmas Carols like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Angels we Have Heard on High”, but they also appear in the lyrics of favorites like “It came upon a midnight clear” and “O Come all Ye Faithful.”
This passage has captured the hearts and minds of so many throughout the centuries since it was first told, and still, each time we hear it, we hear it differently and experience the birth of Christ with fresh hearts and minds.
The angel breaks in on the shepherds here, and the first thing the angel says is “fear not.” I can only imagine what it would be like to have an angel show up unexpectedly. I bet I, too, would be shocked or “sore afraid” – if I even realized what was happening.
The angel begins by calming the shepherds down, then gets right to business. The angel explains that they bring “good tidings of great joy,” then tells the shepherds what has happened and how to find the baby, the savior, Jesus.
Before the shepherds can even take in what is happening, the sky erupts in praise as an angel chorus – a multitude of the heavenly host – fills the skies singing God’s praises.
And the angels sing of Glory to God and of Peace on Earth, Good will toward men.
These shepherds, who were social outcasts – poor men and boys who smelled awful and made very little money. After all, they spent their nights outside with sheep. We might compare the social status of shepherding to modern day trash disposal – everyone agrees it’s necessary, but it’s far from a glamorous job.
It is to these that the angels bring this announcement of Christ’s birth. It is them whom the angel choir serenades; it is they who ‘go tell it on the mountain.’ It is shepherds who first greet, worship, and spread the news of the Christ child.
With a speech, a song, and a race to the manger, their mundane night has been disrupted, and the world has been forever changed.
Today’s Questions
Which Christmas Hymn is Your favorite? Why do you love it so much? Is it the melody? The words? What part of this joyous story does it emphasize? Why does it mean so much to you?
The first folks to hear about and worship Emmanuel, God with Us, were shepherds? What other scriptures do you know about shepherds? Why might these poor social outcasts be the first to be welcomed into this new part of God’s story?
The angels start by saying “Fear not.” Why might they start here? How does fear impact our ability to love others? How can we continue to let love overcome fear to find what the angels rejoice in – “on earth, peace, good will toward men”?
A Blessing for Your Week
Child of God,
May the glory of the Lord break in on you this Christmas
May it interrupt the mundane
May it explode around you with joy and light
May your heart be filled
With peace and good will toward all people
May Love cast out fear
and embolden you to spread the word
That Love is Born
That God dwells among us
That Christmas has begun
Amen.
Rev. Kelsey Sherazi 
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