Now Proclaim Messiah’s Birth (from “Angels from the Realms of Glory”)

By Marie McMahan

Oklahoma City, USA

Scripture Reading:

Luke 2:8-11,15-18

Isaiah 9:6 

“… there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…. “ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”…

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed….”

Luke 2:8-11,15,16-18 (NIV)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

From my earliest recollection, the story of the birth of Jesus was proclaimed to me.  My angel mother first gave significance to this humble scene as she sat her little ones around our home creche to tell us the story.  She tenderly passed “baby Jesus,” giving us each a turn to hold him.  Using reverent and soft words, she taught us the importance of this event. She explained how the angels appeared to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds to announce the good news and how the shepherds, believed their message and went to Bethlehem to find the baby.

(Kids with Baby Jesus)

With “baby Jesus” in 1963.

(Grandma’s Nativity photo)

Marie’s grandmother’s nativity scene.

Christmas Day we gathered around Grandma’s piano. I was in awe of her larger nativity, nestled in a small lit-up village, looking so real to my young eyes.  We would stand around it with numerous cousins singing as she played carols about the angels, Bethlehem, and this special night. In time my siblings and I put on our own play, costumes, and all.  I was in awe!  An awe that can be lost as we grow older.

As a child, I treasured baby Jesus in my heart.  Who doesn’t love a baby, or angels so adorable and beautiful!  Born in a barn, and placed in a trough, Jesus wasn’t the crowned prince the Jews were expecting. He was a baby! What can a baby do? What impact can he have in his fragile, dependent state? Yet Isaiah prophesied 750 years earlier about His power and might.  Little did they know, this baby had already had impact from the beginning in His role in the creation, or that the day of His birth is the day the very Word of God became flesh. How long it took some of them to realize: this was the day their own prophet Isaiah was talking about, when God Himself came to live among us.

Realizing it or not, the world was never the same after this historic day.  The powerful Word of God had arrived in the flesh, the Prince of Peace dressed in swaddling cloths, “pierced the darkness, and the darkness did not understand or (comprehend)” (John 1:5,14).

I also had no understanding at that early time, what the birth of this blessed baby would mean for my life. I only knew that it was wonderful and beautiful, and this little guy gave me comfort, joy, and peace.  I couldn’t begin to comprehend how earth shattering He was, not just for the world at large, but for me personally.

God sends an “angel”

Today we each can recount the story of when God sent some angel to us to say, “Come and see” or “Go and see for yourself.”  I was on campus.  No one knew that days earlier I had been on my knees praying, “God if there is any way I can be saved, please show me.” I begged and cried.  Baby Jesus had become a dull memory, God was distant, and the world had been choking out the faith I had.  I had become a promiscuous, partying college student who had lost her way, when one night God helped me get a good look in the mirror, cutting me to the core. A deep fear came over me as I realized I had broken every promise I ever made to God. I saw my sin.

Just days later, God sent an angel in the form of a young man who came into my work-study job and asked if I got into the Bible much. It had to be God, because I hadn’t told anyone else about my prayer! Not unlike the shepherds, I was amazed. I knew God heard my prayer and was more convinced as I feverishly studied the Bible with some new friends over the next few weeks.

When I saw God’s message for me, I was eager to start my new life in Christ. After sweating through some time counting the cost of what this would mean for my life, I was baptized, eager to share what I had learned with my friends and family.  I was in awe again!

The shepherds believed the angels as they decided to go to Bethlehem not to “see if” but “to see” this thing that the Lord has told them. They received, accepted, and acted on the message the angels brought. After they saw baby Jesus they “spread the word” concerning what had been told them about this child. And all who heard were “amazed” at what the shepherds said to them. 

I have to ask myself, as this season rolls around once again: Will I fashion it to embrace, savor and digest what the proclaimed message of this season is about?  Will I still be in awe of God’s encapsulated landing on this earth as a fleshed out human baby boy? Or will the duties of the season cover me over like Teflon, keeping me from quietly sitting and pondering and praying over what messages God wants me to receive this year? Will I plan for it or be swept away by the flurry of activities? Will I take time to be quiet and “see” like the shepherds, looking eagerly for Him in childlike anticipation till I find Him?  Will I pay forward the message of good news to others, see opportunities to share, meet needs?  Will I complain? Will I see hope? Offer hope? Will I be like God and present the spirit of the baby first, let them enjoy the peace and wonder, before handing them the cross?

Like a child, let’s never lose our awe of the angels’ proclamation that day:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Questions for Reflection:

1.       Reflect on the message of Jesus’ birth. When did that message first affect your heart? How did that message change your life?
2.       In Luke 2:16, the shepherds “hurried off” to find the baby Jesus. What are some ways you can hurry to see Jesus in your daily life? What distracts you from hurrying to see Him?
3.       Who are your “proclaiming angels” who help direct you to see Jesus?

Today I will:

Journal about how Jesus’ birth is/has had an impact on your life. Reflect on the “angel” who proclaimed the good news to you. If possible, reach out to them and thank them for sharing the message. Let them know how it has changed your life. Then, find at least one other person you can now go and share the good news of Jesus with!

About the Author:

Marie McMahan is a retired teacher who taught elementary art in the inner city and professional cake design. She continues working as a personal care assistant to her adult son with multiple disabilities, who is also a faithful brother in Christ. Marie has had the privilege of being a disciple for 47 years. She and her husband, John, have held various servant and leadership roles in churches in several states over their 46 years together. They have been a part of the OKC Church in Oklahoma City for the past 28 years. We are also blessed with another wonderful son, daughter-in-love and three wonderful grandchildren.

To hear a special version of "Angels from the Realms of Glory" sung by your sister Amy Kinzer, please click the image below: