⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:8-14

The Son of God, the long awaited Messiah has come, and the announcement is being made to shepherds living in a field.  And these shepherds are witnesses to a multitude of the heavenly host praising G-d and saying “Glory to God in the highest and peace on the one to bring peace on earth”. This message flies in the face of the Emperor Augustus, who was widely acclaimed as the one that will bring peace.  Luke, in a sense, is making a theological as well as political statement in this one verse. And this is not a bad idea since religion and politics have been linked in many ways for thousands of years. It is the reason that the announcement to shepherds is scandalous (since they would have been considered the last people to whom a “king” would be announced) and why Herod would be seeking the death of this “so-called Messiah”.

Even if it means our own persecution or shunning, we should also make claim to our own acclamation: “Glory to G-d in heaven”. If we truly want peace in the world, I believe it will only come when we finally realize that it is only possible through the Lord.

Pastor Dave