This year my new Christmas series looks at what is represented by the word Christmas. Looking at the letters became popular back in 1963 when popular country singer, Jim Reeves, included the song, C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S, on his one and only Christmas album. Eddy Arnold and Jenny Lou Carson wrote the song. The lyrics are a wonderful pointer to the major elements of the story of Christ’s birth, but in the series I want to look a little deeper into each of those letters.
My previous post was entitled C is For…Wonder. Let’s move ahead to H.
There are many words related to H that connect with the Christmas season. Some of the ones we quickly recall are holly, hanging the greens, holiday, hope, hot chocolate, hot cider, hugs, and happy. The song adds herald angels to the list. We can all agree on that and we sing songs at this season that remind us of this, but have you seriously thought a bit more about this?
What would it have been like to be a shepherd watching the flocks when this glorious event occurred?
If you were a shepherd back then, you were considered to be among the lowly. Shepherds were often the older men or even women and boys (those who were not strong enough to handle other types of responsibilities), but still they were entrusted with the care and protection of the sheep. Imagine being among them on this historic night. It’s chilly and your ears are tuned in to the sounds of the sheep as well as for any predators that may be near and then suddenly…
And so it was that the heavenly host of angels appeared in the inky black sky to the least of these. Luke paints the picture for us in Luke 2:8-14 (ESV):
“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 in the 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”
Songs refer to these angels as herald angels. A herald is one who precedes or comes before, a forerunner, and a harbinger. They were coming first to announce the birth of the Christ and these poor shepherds were chosen to be the first to hear. It’s not likely they had seen an angel before and now they are surrounded by a heavenly host of angels. Now they are experiencing the glory and splendor of God’s messengers.
Glory means magnificence or great beauty and may also mean a luminous ring or halo. It seems evident from Luke’s words there was light cascading in the midst of the angels. Splendor, another word that describes magnificent and splendid appearances, can be used to describe what the shepherds saw.
The words of scripture make clear the sight was stunning and beyond anything a person could have imagined. It would not be surprising the shepherds might be shaking. After they appeared, the angels first told them not to be afraid. They are bringing Good News, the very best news ever announced.
In the current day of neon and LED lights, it might be hard to conceive of the glory and splendor of the angel and heavenly host; but I believe it would be good to consider the reality of this event unfolding before the shepherds as best we can. Yes, we might desire a close relationship with this Jesus, this Christ Child, but we should not forget we are speaking of royalty accompanied by great glory and splendor. This is far grander than any earthly king’s trappings that instill awe and humbling respect for the office.
As we bustle about this Christmas season and listen to the songs reminding us of the events we celebrate, let us not forget nor make common what was uncommon, glorious, and full of splendor.
One day when He returns, we will see Him in all His glory for ourselves.
Are you watching for Him in excited anticipation?
How beautifully written and wonderfully welcomed by the Literacy Musing Mondays audience!
Thank you!🎄
I think the glory and splendor of an angel must not ever be comparable to anything human made, because that glory and splendor come from God. I would have love to see, but I’m pretty sure I would be scared too.
Thank you for joining The Really Crafty Link Party this week, it’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
I so agree, Teresa! I so much look forward to hearing from you. It’s fascinating to see how this electronic age allow us to connect with each other in other countries thousands of miles away. I confess I cannot imagine what Portugal is like, but I get excited thinking about getting to know someone who lives there!💕
The problem with knowing the story of Christmas so well is that we jump to the end and miss the awe, wonder and excitement (not to mention, fear) that the shepherds had at the visitation of the angel. Processing all that took place must have been overwhelming. I like to sit in the stories that I know and just imagine what it must have been like to be there when you didn’t know what was going to happen. Glory to God in the Highest, indeed!!
You are so right, Karen. I think that is what prompted me to go through the story as I am in this series. I, too, like to sit in the stories!!! Blessings on this Christmas season as we celebrate the first Advent and await the second!!!🎄
Yes, this, Pam: “Let us not forget nor make common what was uncommon, glorious, and full of splendor.” Amen!
Amen, indeed, amen!!
I hope that you will have a marvelous Christmas season.
This was a fun post. Blessed to be your neighbor at the RaRa linkup this morning. Advent Blessings to you and yours.
Thanks, Tara! I am enjoying writing this new series entitled C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S😊 I will be over to visit your post soon.
Hi Pam! I have thought about what it would be like to be a shepherd that night of all nights. Isn’t it amazing that the shepherds were 100% sure it was Christ? They didn’t seem to freak out at all seeing the angels. I wonder if I could have been like that? Like Linda, I wonder if I could keep it all together.
I hope you have a wonderful week my friend,
Ceil
Hi, my Midwestern friend!
I can only guess to have had such a supernatural experience with the angelic host would make it hard not to believe it was Christ in the manger. Perhaps God chose these shepherds because He also knew their hearts and their belief in the prophecies about Jesus and the place of His birth.
Maybe in heaven we can ask if they were freaking out. I think signs and wonders (though rare) were more easily accepted and believed then than they would be now perhaps.
Thanks for the good wishes. I am still seeking to recover from the 11 day Thanksgiving trip and things I need to do along with a few naps thrown in.
Blessings on your week as the weather dips toward wintry temps and possible snow.
Pam
Good morning, Pam! Thanks for putting us right in the shepherds’ sandals. Can you even imagine the spectacle, the sight, the astonishing marvel of it all?
I’d like to think I’d have done more than freak out in shock. I’d like to think I’d have been up and running to the stable. Despite all the questions.
You’ve taken us to the fields, friend. Beautiful.
Hello, my friend!
Ah, thanks! That’s what I hoped to do!!! It can be so easy to read through, sing about, or recall the story and miss the reality of it all.
I am not certain what kind of shepherd I would have been either. It would have depended how old I was or what season of life I was in because that would have informed my spiritual knowledge and experience.
This is a fun new series to pursue, but one I am hoping will cause the reader to go beyond what they know and consider all they don’t know and did not experience.
Hugs,
Pam