Luke 2:8-20 (NRSV)
Read Luke 2:8-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Verse 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Verse 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: Verse 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Verse 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." Verse 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Verse 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" Verse 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." Verse 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. Verse 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; Verse 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. Verse 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Verse 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Devotion
Children love this part of the nativity story. While children of all ages understand it in all sorts of ways, the picture of a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing is too wonderful and glorious to simply pass over quickly. Likewise the message the heavenly hosts sing is too wonderful and glorious to simply pass over quickly: “And on earth, peace.” Would that it be so in this next year—peace on earth to all whom God favors. This, of course, is everyone, no exceptions.
Prayer
May your kingdom of peace be upon us, among us and within us so that the song of the multitude of heavenly hosts will be a sound of fulfillment throughout our world. Amen.