*insert sheep noise here*

As suggested by many friends, I have been reading Frank Peretti's "Piercing the Darkness" since Christmas Break started.. It is amazing. Everyone needs to read it! In the book, it describes the angels that we have guarding us, and I have to say it made me think twice a couple times today. Peretti describes them as being 7 feet or taller, powerful, and of all ethnicities. I'll leave the rest for you to discover when you read the book for yourself ;-). Needless to say, Peretti did a wonderful job of painting a vivid word picture that is forever stuck in my head.

Reading the story of the shepherds in the fields again today, it struck me just how stunning it must have been to be standing there with your buddies, watching the sheep, and all of a sudden have this angel of the Lord show up in front of you. I think I would've passed out. Or screamed... But most likely passed out. And the angel, knowing this, says "Do not be afraid." Smart move, considering the poor shepherds probably thought they were about to die.

And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields,

and keeping watch over their flock by night.

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them;

and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid; for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all the people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord, And this will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a

multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,

that the shepherds began saying to one another,

"Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened

which the Lord has made known to us."

And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph,

and the baby as He lay in the manger.

And when they had seen this, they made known the statement

which had been told them about this Child.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God

for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

(Luke 2:8-20)

As I was reading this again, I was picturing the angels. I know we can only guess and speculate as to the details of what they really look like, but I am pretty sure they were probably fairly intimidating! Yet, this angel shows up, gives the shepherds his message and tells them exactly what to go looking for. If that isn't enough, a multitude of heavenly host shows up and starts praising God! In case you're curious (because I was) "multitude" is linked with other Scriptures that describe the number of angels to be "myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands" and again, "thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him." I'd say that it probably wasn't a 12 member choir that came and sang. It was probably the most spectacular, breath-taking sight the shepherds had ever seen. Angels as far as the eye can see, singing Glory to God... Amazing.

Once the angels leave the shepherds take off for Bethlehem, leaving their sheep and lambs behind. Obviously, they knew what was going on was important. Important enough to leave what was essentially their livelihood. Off to Bethlehem they go, and when they arrive they find everything exactly as the angel said it would be. There, they made known what the angel had said about baby Jesus. They spread the word, causing those who heard it to wonder at everything they said. They didn't stop either, as they went back to their sheep they glorified and praised God for all that He had done.

I'm still stuck on the image I have in my head of the shepherds cowering before the angel. Just one. And then when he is done speaking, thousands more appear. God made known that night just how important this little Baby was. And He didn't show Herod, or any of the rulers of the land. He went to the shepherds, who lived in the deserts watching sheep. He was showing His love for ALL people, even before Jesus' ministry started. He set up a heavenly concert before Jesus spoke His first earthly words. He was showing that He is for ALL people... Even before Jesus was 24 hrs old.