David Bahn – Reflections

Luke 2:13-14

 And 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!”

What a night it must have been 2000 years ago! A young couple arrives in Bethlehem just in time for their baby to be born in a stable. A firstborn’s cry greets the night. His mother wraps him in strips of cloth. The animals’ manger becomes a crib. Meanwhile… A startling appearance of angels produces terrified shepherds. Angelic assurances of Good News for all people gives way to an army of angels singing God’s praises.

This birth causes angels to gather and sing. This birth causes shepherds to become missionaries (see below the rest of the story). This birth splits time from B.C. to A.D. This birth sets into motion the ultimate redemption plan of God. This birth provides peace. This birth brings glory to God – in the highest!

This is my hope today: That God is glorified in the hearts of the most humble and meek to the souls of the high and mighty. For God deserves all glory, honor and praise, hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving.

Luke 2

 ¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the firstregistration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.  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 appeared to them, and 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 the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day inthe city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And 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!”

 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 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 Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.