GLORY TO GOD

Passage: Luke 2:8-20

Key verse: 14

NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(A) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(B) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(C) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(D) the Lord.(E) 12 This will be a sign(F) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(G) to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.(H) 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.(I) 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God(J) for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord (A)appeared to them, and (B)the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all (C)the people. 11 For (D)unto you is born this day in (E)the city of David (F)a Savior, who is (G)Christ (H)the Lord. 12 And (I)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby (J)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel (K)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 (L)“Glory to God (M)in the highest,
    (N)and on earth (O)peace (P)among those with whom he is pleased!”[a]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby (Q)lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But (R)Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, (S)glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:14 Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

There were shepherds living out in the field. In that culture, they were insignificant people. Yet God’s glorious news reached them first. The angels appeared to them and told them about the good news that will cause great joy to all people. Angels said, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The Messiah has come into the world. It had been foretold again and again throughout human history. Now God has fulfilled his promise by sending his one and only son Jesus, the Messiah, into the world. Jesus is the good news that will cause great joy to all people. Because of Jesus, all mankind is saved from the power of sin and death. Those who believe in Jesus will be saved. Once sin entered through Adam, all mankind lived under the power of sin and death. We all roamed about in utter darkness. But coming of Jesus is a great news to all mankind. He became our true and only Savior. We have his life and light. We have eternal life in Jesus!

Thus, Jesus became the glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming into the world to save us from our sin and become peace on earth.

One Word: Glory to God! Peace on Earth!