Have you ever given someone a gift at Christmas time, only to have them carefully unwrap the package, flap by flap? There you are, bursting with excitement, eager to see their face when they discover what you’ve so loving bought them, but they insist on taking their time, not wanting to waste the wrapping. When this happens to me I feel like screaming, “Come on! Just rip the stupid paper!”
I think the angels must have felt like this as they hovered over Bethlehem’s hills that first Christmas night. They impatiently listened as Gabriel, solemnly told the trembling shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people…”
As Gabriel rambled on I can hear one of the angels saying, “Come on! Get on with it! We want to sing!” Bursting with joy, the angels could barely hold it in.
Finally, Gabriel finished his monologue, “ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:13, 14 NKJV).
Light erupted in the night, music filled the air, and the shepherds gaped in awe. The angels had been waiting thousands of years for this day and they couldn’t keep silent a moment longer. Their love for God and His newborn son, spilled forth in waves of praise which chased away the darkness, welcoming to earth the Light of Life.
This Christmas, as you consider what Jesus did for you, let your heart so fill with love you can’t keep it in. Don’t stay silent a moment longer. Let your joy and praise for God spill out of you in every act and every word, till everyone you meet is left standing in awe at what He’s done in your life. Let everything you do sing, ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
This morning, don’t be shy. Don’t keep it inside! Open your mouth and sing! Jesus Christ is Lord and King!
Merry Christmas and have joyous day!