The Light of the universe appeared as a Star
that all the world could see.
Yet only a few saw it and followed.

Then the Glory of God was poured on
common men in daily duty.
The night-keepers, simple sheep-like men,
were encircled by a dazzling light
alive with unearthly power.

And in that vicinity there were shepherds living    
(out under the open sky) in the field,
watching (in shifts) over their flocks by night.

And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and
the glory of the Lord flashed and shone
all about them and
     they were terribly frightened.
Luke 2:8-10 Amplified Bible

Divine light came from God's very presence
with His exuberant announcement,
sent by "an angel of the Lord."

The shepherds were completely terrified
by such a blast of lightening jubilation
bursting in on their soundless night!

But the angel said to them,     
Do not be afraid; for behold,
I bring you good news of a great joy
which will come to all the people.
For to you is born this day in
the town of David a Savior,
       Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!
Luke 2:10,11

The coming of the Son,
heralded by heaven as news of joy for all,
was obscure and unnoticed on earth,
announced to only a chosen few.
The world lay asleep in darkness
before this unimagined event that had
broken-in to human history.
God newborn!
Squeezed into His own
dreamed-up humanity. 

While earth dozed in lazy ignorance,
the celestial host extolled the Great Father-God
in wondered worship.

With unbounded delight that could not be contained,
the heavens were exploding . . .

Then suddenly there appeared with the angel    
an army of the troops of heaven
(a heavenly knighthood),
praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest (heaven)
and on earth peace among
men with whom He is well pleased
      (men of goodwill, of His favor).
Luke 2:14,15 Amplified Bible

Messiah's coming had been known and seen
down through ages of gazing prophets.
That He came as a babe, born like us all . . .
in vulnerable human form -
this was the long-held, wondrous plan
of this Holy Child's Abba Father.

Copyright © 2003 Martha Kilpatrick