James Nisbet Commentary - Luke 2:13 - 2:13

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James Nisbet Commentary - Luke 2:13 - 2:13


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.’

Luk_2:13

I. The heavenly host.—In making the great announcement one angel does not suffice. The soothing words of the herald angel being uttered, ‘Fear not,’ the assurance being given that he was a bearer to the shepherds of good tidings; the joy of the heavenly choirs can be no longer restrained, and the firmament rings with the glad announcement: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’ Of this supplementary announcement by the collective body of angels, we see the design. It was that they might do homage to their liege Lord in the first stage of His wonderful abasement. For the next thirty years no nobler employment could they have than to wait upon Him until His Ascension.

II. The conduct of the shepherds on hearing this announcement. They said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’ They required no other reason. A message from heaven had told them what they must do, and which if they would do, they should of a certainty find the Lord’s Christ. They obeyed the vision, and ‘they made known abroad the saying which had been told them concerning this child.’ Far be it from them to keep back such an inestimable discovery. Every friend, every neighbour shall be told of it. In the same spirit as Philip (Joh_1:45), of the woman of Samaria (Joh_4:29), these shepherds sought out those dear to them.

III. How many such messages have been sent to each one of us! Have we found Christ as truly as these shepherds found Him? Oh, it is a sad thing, spending Christmas without Christ! Such a Christmas is a Christmas of sad tidings. It is no birthday anniversary, but the anniversary of a despised and wasted birthright. Its festive gatherings are a profane banquet; its songs the mocking carols of death.

—
Rev. Prebendary Daniel Moore.

Illustration

‘There is a Christmas booklet—The Birthday of Hope—which contains some most beautiful thoughts about those words: “If I had not come …” The author dreamed a dream. Christ had never come. There was no Christmas. There were no Christmas hymns or bells or gifts or cards or charities or gatherings. The world went on its dull way. The prison was there, but there was no Church. There was no hospital or orphanage. There was no Cross with its cleansing blood, no Good Shepherd to give His life for the sheep, no grave in which sin could be buried, no New Testament—the most beautiful pages of the poets were gone, the world of music was like the world of poetry, ever so much poorer, there was no comfort for the dying, and no consolation for the mourners—‘Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.’ That was all. And the author awoke and it was a dream.’