A View from the Nest
Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight from the Journey across the Sky
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)
Hear ye! Hear ye! Have you heard the good news? Today in the city of David a Savior was born who is Christ the Lord!
Birth announcements do not usually cause visits from heaven nor bring an angel choir and a brand new star. Wise men from the east traveled many miles to pay homage to this new-born King. Relatives might make a trip across the country to see a new-born but to bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I would think not.
The angels sang Joy to the world! They proclaimed good news to all men! He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace! What a birth announcement! What a proclamation!
My birth announcement amounted to a small space in the local newspaper. No fanfare or celestial beings in attendance to announce my arrival and certainly no bright new star shining overhead. No one came from afar to witness my birth nor were any kings or governors quaking at the thought of a new king being born. Other than a three-day blizzard my arrival onto this planet was less than spectacular.
For most people, their entrance into the world is usually without much fanfare or production. I performed a Google search to see if I could find any famous person’s birth announcements and found none. I guess the lack of those is due primarily to the birth of most infants is not considered extraordinary. To be famous one has to do something in this life to be worthy of such acclaim. Merely being born would not need a royal announcement of heavenly proportions.
On this night angels were dispatched to Mary, Joseph and lowly shepherds, to proclaim the birthday of a King. The angels foretold of the greatness of this child. All of heaven was dispatched to make this special delivery. This was no ordinary birthday. This was no ordinary child. This was not just another birth.
