"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
"'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
"'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!'” - (Luke 2:8-14 ESV)
Have you ever noticed how people in the Christmas story tend to respond to angels when they show up?
If we rewind to Luke 1:30 when the angel Gabriel visits Mary, he tells her,
“do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”
Here, in Luke 2, we read that these rough tough shepherds are instantly “filled with fear” at the sight of an angel and are quickly told to “fear not …”
This should make us wonder why they were frightened.
Maybe viewing angels as cute, cuddly versions of cupid is completely wrong.
If we scan the scope of scripture, it appears that whenever angels showed up on the scene, they were on a mission to bring a message from God.
Quite often to “open the can” of God’s judgement.
Some type of serious destruction often followed their arrival.
Luke writes that as this angel is sharing the news of Jesus’ birth with the shepherds, that suddenly, a “multitude of the heavenly host appears.” 
For some reason, this multitude is often displayed as a white robed angelic choir, sometimes with song books in hand.
Ironically, the word “host” gives a radically different picture — it’s translated from the Greek word stratia, and literally means a military encampment or a band of soldiers.
This was not a choir of cupids but an angelic army straight from heaven.
God had sent His army to announce that the Messiah had arrived and the rescue mission for humanity had begun.
This army had no intention of dethroning an arrogant Caesar in Rome or removing a corrupt High Priest in Jerusalem.
They weren’t about to wipe out the Roman army or restore Israel as a world power. They had arrived to announce “a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”— an unexpected way for God’s rescue mission to begin.
Why do you think God sent an angelic army to announce the birth of Jesus?
Jordan Loftis
President and Editor
Jordan writes and speaks about how to study and live out the Bible. He’s the author of two books, Today We Win and The Men With Bare Feet, host of The Bible Better Podcast, and the president and editor of Short Daily Devotions.Jordan is also the founder of Story Chorus, an innovative publishing company, and the cofounder of It’s Your Time Wellness with his wife, where they coach people to optimal health.
He lives with his beautiful wife and three kids in Bismarck, North Dakota.
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Streams in my desert: Christ the Lord - as the shepherds approached baby Jesus, they could witness how He was fulfilling prophecy. He was the Christ, “wrapped in the swaddling garments.” He was “born to redeem” and save. The angels focused on giving glory to God. They also signaled His desire that all people could experience peace and goodwill and a time when wars no longer would be necessary. Jesus had come to fulfill prophecy as the Prince of Peace. This Christmas, remember to focus on God. Praise Him. Thank Him. Remember that Jesus came to bring peace on earth
Streams in my desert: The angel Gabriel - Gabriel is one of God’s good and holy angels. He appears to at least three people in the Bible. Gabriel’s name means “God is great,” and, as the angel of the annunciation, he is the one who revealed that the Savior was to be called “Jesus.” He has a favored position as an angel who “stands in the presence of God” and he was selected to deliver important messages of God’s particular love and favor to individuals chosen to be part of God’s plan
Streams in my desert: Lord of Hosts - the name is used to emphasize the mighty power of God and His great host of angels “that excel in strength, that do his commandments.” Not only is God Himself omnipotent and omniscient (after all, He is the Creator of all things!), but He has “an innumerable company of angels.” Occasionally, some of these mighty hosts have actually been seen by men. The great “captain of the host of the LORD” is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ
Streams in my desert: The Birth Of The Saviour - misery and wretchedness everywhere, unrest on every land, and yet the angel said, “Peace, goodwill toward men.” Peace was dependent upon receiving the Savior whom God had sent into the world. This is the mystery of the incarnation. The sweetest story ever told - the coming to Earth of our Lord Jesus Christ - He wants to come in and He will come in if you will open the door. The Messiah is coming back again, when the rest of Israel shall return to their God
Streams in my desert: God's Secret Agents - we have a fire of God at work - His angels, accomplishing His will. Angels have always served God. They sang at creation. Angels are God's invisible army, His servants, working for us. God sends angels to minister to you. It should encourage you to know that they are working on your behalf. Let's rejoice today that we are not alone. Greater are those who are with us than those who are against us. Thank God for His angels
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