“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’. Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace.’” Luke 2:10-11, 13-14a NIV

For the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, this night started like every other night. They gathered their sheep into a tighter circle for protection and were deciding who would take the first watch. Suddenly, the angel appeared and exclaimed that the long-awaited Messiah had been born! Before the shepherds could even react, a multitude of heavenly host arrived and began praising God. I think we could only describe them as awestruck.

This first exclamation of the birth of the Lord Jesus didn’t come to the kings and rulers or to the Pharisees and Sadducees or even to the Levites serving in the temple. This first glorious exclamation came to the common man, the shepherds in the field. And the shepherds responded. They went and found “Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” And then the shepherds exclaimed this wonderful news that they had been given to all they encountered.

This month as we wait expectantly for Christmas, let each of us exclaim the good news of the birth of Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, our Immanuel, to all that we meet. Let’s praise our God and give Him the glory. Let us exclaim with joy and peace this most amazing Christmas gift given to the world.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me today as we add our exclamations to the exclamations of the angel, the heavenly host, and the shepherds.

Blessings and peace on earth!