week THREE of Advent, #3
Singing the Story #3 – The Song of the Heavenly Host
In pictures and descriptions of Jesus’ birth, the angels attending are often portrayed as chubby cherubim, lightly plucking at harp and lyre. They hardly seem scary, or the type of characters that would frighten hardened shepherds. Yet this multitude broke through the heavenly curtain, and with regal precision proclaimed in swift accord the present situation.
Luke 2:9-14
9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Shedding some light…
The heavenly band of angels was an angelic “host,” or literally an army of angels. They came to announce peace, but also to signify that God’s enemies would be destroyed through this coming Savior, Christ the Lord. Give praise to God, who sits on the highest throne of heaven and brings peace on earth for those who bear his favor.
Children’s Prayer
Great and Powerful God, there is nothing you cannot do. No one can stop what you plan to do. Nothing can get in your way. Thank you for using that power to defeat your enemies.
Adult’s Prayer
Dear Majestic God, you spared no expense in securing peace for us. You took your son from a swaddling babe to a crucifixion and destroyed sin and death for us. May we carry on about Jesus as the angels did, filling our lives with songs of praise to him, our Savior and Lord.
Advent Singing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
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Source: www.ctkraleigh.org
