The Wonder Of ChristmasSample

The Musical Event of a Lifetime

Written By: Danny Saavedra

“And in a flash there appeared with the angel a vast host of the armies of Heaven, praising God, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill!’”—Luke 2:13 (PHILLIPS)

A few years ago, I went to a Hillsong United concert with my wife and a few friends. Let me tell you . . . what an experience. I love live music, and have been to some awesome performances in my time—even having sung in some epic concerts and operas—but no musical experience I’ve had in my 32 years has been able to compare with that night in Miami.

Hearing 20,000 people in unison singing to the Lord, passionately worshiping Him, it’s something I still remember vividly today. That concert was actually made into a live album, and each time I listen to it, I am moved, particularly by the moments where you can hear the audience singing along with the musicians, and it sounds like one voice.

In Luke 2:10–14, we read about the greatest concert in history: the night the angels filled the sky to sing, “Glory to God in the highest Heaven! Peace upon earth among men of goodwill!” Now, I love the J.B. PHILLIPS translation of this passage because it says, “a vast host of the armies of Heaven.” The phrase used here implies a large number—some believe over 70,000 angels. You could say this was the army of the Great King, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord on the night His Son—the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace—was born!

Imagine being a shepherd in the fields on this night. Just try to picture this unexpected and awe-inspiring scene of nearly 100,000 angels filling the sky, singing in unison. I can only imagine the beautiful, harmonic, angelic sound that filled the air—definitely puts the Hillsong concert into perspective!

But as I thought about this, another verse came to my mind where angels make joyful sounds . . . and this thought really filled my heart. It’s found in Luke 15:10 (NLT), where Jesus says, “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” You see, in the same way that the angels filled the sky to sing praises at the birth of Christ, the Father and His angels celebrate joyfully every time someone decides to follow Jesus. That’s how much He loves us!

DIG: Read Luke 2:1–20.

DISCOVER: Have you ever gone to a concert or musical performance that left you in awe? What was so special about the occasion?

DISPLAY: With Christmas a few days away, you may be planning on attending a pageant concert or service. As you listen to the music, take a moment to remember the concert of praise and celebration that takes place in Heaven when sinners repent, and pray that there would be so much celebration this Christmas that an angel army’s worth of people come to know Jesus!