GloriaSample

Angels We Have Heard on High 

Imagine a still, quiet night, with the stars above you. It’s the kind of night you’ve experienced over and over again. Maybe you envision going camping, sitting on your back porch, or driving in your car. Wherever it is, it’s somewhere familiar, comfortable, and normal for you.

On this particular night, the shepherds are experiencing an ordinary night under the stars. They’re watching over their flock as they did every moment of every day—to keep the flock safe from wild animals in the area or from wandering off to unknown terrain. Just another typical night.

There’s no doubt that the shepherds had heard all their lives about the coming of the Messiah, but when they least expect it, on the most common of days, the most extraordinary thing happens! An angel of the Lord shows up, an astonishing sight and sound. How terrifying and exhilarating it must have been. The angel tells them of the news they had longed to hear all their lives—the long-awaited Messiah is here!

My favorite part of this story is in verses 13 and 14. Once the angel has shared the good news, it’s then joined by “a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God ...” Luke 2:13 NLT

The angels were preparing the way of the Lord with praise even at His birth—joining the scene purely to praise God for this momentous occasion! Even in the midst of sharing the story of Jesus’ birth and how He could be recognized, they couldn’t help but praise God:

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14 NLT

Challenge

May we pause today and give Him the highest praise. In the middle of the busiest season, or the most ordinary of days, may we keep our eyes open for God moving in miraculous ways and give nothing in our lives higher praise than the one who came to save!

—Ashten Wellman 

Worship with this live performance of Angels We Have Heard on High with Worship Pastor Ashten Wellman: