Why We'll Always Celebrate Christmas!
The Spirit of Christmas
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
My Prayer Today
Dear Lord, I want to join with the angels today and praise your name! Glory to your name in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all who believe in you! Thank you for coming into my world to give me a life of victory. You have won the battle through Jesus Christ, and I ask that you would help me to live in that victory today. Help me to see the world in its deepest reality, from a spritual standpoint. But I ask that you would only grant that request in a way that I can handle. For your glory is so awesome, that the world cannot contain it. Reveal your glory in me. Help me to see things as you want me to see them. And give me a heart of praise and of peace this day. I ask these things in Jesus name. Amen.
Bible Verses
Luke 2:8-20
8 "That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others -- the armies of heaven -- praising God: 14 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.' 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' 16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to thema bout this child. 18 All who heart the shepherd's story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said."
Questions for Reflection
After the angel spoke to the shepherds, who joined and praised the Lord (verse 13)? How many were there?
What did they say as they praised the Lord (verse 14)?
Why did they say "glory to God in the highest heaven?" Did they know the full story of why Jesus came to earth before everyone else did?
Why did they say "Peace on earth?" How is there peace on earth, when today we face terrorism? What exactly were they talking about when they said "peace on earth to whom all God favors (or some translations "goodwill among people").
Questions for Exploration
If the "armies of heaven", who see much more into the spiritual realm than we humans could see, are praising God in such a manner as described -- could it be that the reason we don't praise the Lord is because we don't see into that realm as much as we should?
Can those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God, have true "peace"? Is this peace something that involves freedom from political and social wars, or is it rather a spiritual inward peace that makes one right with God?
What is true peace? Why does Jesus' birth give this to those who believe?
Questions for Understanding
Do you have peace right now in your life? What does the message of Christmas do to offer you regarding true peace?
Is praising God linked at all to having peace? What would happen if you joined the angels today in the same chorus they sang before the shepherds that evening?
If the "armies of heaven" have time to sing as they wage war against the powers of darkness, why is it that we fail to sing to the Lord as we face our everyday battles? Could it be that the very battle against us is to keep us from singing to the Lord?
These angels were not wimps, they were warriors. One angel (the "death angel") could slay all the firstborn in all of Egypt in one evening. Just think what a whole "vast host" of the armies of heaven could do? Could it be that the powerful in the Lord, always make time to praise the Lord in song?
Questions for Application
Read Micah 5:2-5. If you lack peace in your life, read and re-read verse 5 out loud. Meditate on that truth today until it sinks into your spirit.
Do you sing to the Lord at all, other than during church services? Could this be the source a possible spiritual weakness in your life?
Find several Christmas carols (Christian themes) and think about the meaning of the words. After this is done, sing them with a joyful heart today. Maybe you could find a new Christmas carol each day to sing under your breath as you go through your routine?
Thoughts and Reflections
When one thinks of angels, they often think of someone dressed in white, with a halo over their head, long wings, and a small harp that they hold. Although the appearance of angels has been mostly a mystery, much of Hollywood, TV, Christmas plays and programs have helped to shape our perceptions (though many times incorrectly) of angels. However, the Bible gives a vast explaination of various angels and their responsibilities. In Luke 2:13 we read of the "armies of heaven" -- which consisted of a vast host of angels. These angels were not wimps, they were warriors. They were used to fighting spiritual battles in the heavens, yet, they still were humble and simple enough to sing praises to God. They were powerful enough to fight, yet willing to offer praise. As I reflect on the people in my own life who are strong in their walk with the Lord, I find something that is common within all of these individuals -- they all love to give praise to the Lord. Angels, as spiritual beings, have a much greater perception of the spiritual realm that is within the universe than any human could understand or comprehend. And, perhaps, this is the cause of their heart of praise that was exhibited on the night they appeared to the shepherds. This perception of the spiritual realm, and the victory that would come through Christ's birth, caused them to celebrate and glorify the Lord. Could it be that the reason we often fail to glorify the Lord (especially at Christmas), is because we are relatively ignorant of the spiritual realm? We are so concerned with our "own world" and its problems, that we fail to look at the big picture of what God is not only doing in the world, but also in the heavenly realm. Christmas, from a spiritual battle standpoint, was a victorious landing of a Savior to earth -- sort of like the Allies storming the beaches of Normandy in Northern France during WWII. It took a major battle, but it was the "beachhead" that brought final victory agains the Axis powers. Likewise, Jesus coming to earth was the "beachhead" against the Devil and all his evil armies of darkness. Jesus final victory came when he conquered death itself when he arose from the dead on Easter morning. Because all of these things would happen, the angel's knew that victory was here. It is no wonder why they would say "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors..." As we come upon Christmas this year, let us not only look to our own world (our family, our friends, our gifts, our parties, etc...) but let us remain aware of what is going on all around us in the heavens. And let us join the angels and glorify God for sending us a Savior.
To view other studies from the Why We Celebrate Christmas series, click here.