Charged with caring for the sheep, the shepherds ushered the animals into the makeshift sheepfold. Weary heads nodded as the sound of bleating dwindled. Fear suddenly gripped those looking after the animals. An ethereal angel stood in their presence—announcing the birth of the Savior. Then, a choir of the heavenly host proclaimed,

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14 NKJV)

 

Who Received the Angelic Message?

Many often quote the angelic hymn voiced by the angels, but what does it mean?

Doxa is a Greek word that means “an exalted state.” It is the Greek root from which the term doxology comes. Not only that, but Luke uses the word theos –translated as God in the Bible. Theos point us to the one and only true God and, by definition, encompasses the fullness of the Trinity. When the angels proclaimed Christ to the shepherds, they equated His name with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

One might have expected the angels to notify kings, rulers, or the influencers of the day of Christ’s advent. Instead, they declare words of hope over the lowliest and most despised of people. Most relegated ancient shepherds to the lowest rung of society.

The Lord did not.

God chose the undeserving, impoverished, and the outcast of to receive the good news—the promise of Peace. He surrounded them in light and revealed His love as the angels through a message of hope.

 

What Else Do We Learn from the Angelic Hymn?

The second phrase of Christ’s unmatched birth announcement reads, “And on earth peace.”

God’s chosen longed for peace. Subject to the Romans at the time of Christ’s birth, the people of Israel anticipated the day the Messiah would free them from tyranny. Few suspected a baby born in an insignificant town to an unknown Jewish girl might answer their prayers for shalom.

More than the absence of war or social turmoil, shalom—or the peace referenced in the lyrics of the angelic proclamation—involves man’s relationship with God. The peace the angels professed foreshadowed the opportunity of reconciliation to God through the birth, death, and resurrection of the Prince of Peace.

Multiple scriptures affirm this promise of peace.

• Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

• Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace (shalom) of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

• John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.

 

 

Do You Need Peace?

This week, I plan to slow my pace, pause, and meditate on this heavenly birth announcement from Isaiah 9:6.  “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

 

Friend, do you need peace today? I encourage you to read the scripture above by inserting your name instead of the preposition us. The Prince of Peace was born for me. He was born for you. Christ is the Peace for whom we are seeking. It is found in no one and nothing else.

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