week three of advent
Singing the Story #3 – The Song of the Heavenly Host
In pictures and descriptions of Jesus’ birth, the angels attending are often portrayed as chubby cherubim, lightly plucking at harp and lyre. They hardly seem scary, or the type of characters that would frighten hardened shepherds. Yet this multitude broke through the heavenly curtain and with regal precision proclaimed in swift accord the present situation.
Luke 2:9-14
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Shedding some light...
The heavenly band of angels was an angelic ‘host’ or literally an army of angels. They came to announce peace, but also to signify that God’s enemies would be destroyed through this coming Savior, Christ the Lord. Give praise to God, who sits on the highest throne of heaven and brings peace on earth for those who bear his favor.
Children’s Prayer
Great and Powerful God, there is nothing you cannot do. No one can stop what you plan to do. Nothing can get in your way. Thank you for using that power to defeat your enemies.
Adults’ Prayer
Dear Majestic God, you spared no expense in securing peace for us. You took your son from a swaddling babe to a crucifixion and destroyed sin and death for us. May we carry on about Jesus as the angels did, filling our lives with songs of praise to him, our Savior and Lord.
Advent Singing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Advent Devotional Guide Download
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Compilation and Text
Bruce Benedict
www.cardiphonia.org
Elliot Grudem
www.ctkraleigh.org
Design
Ladye Jane Vickers
www.littlewhitebungalow.com
Production
Amelia Reynolds
CHRIST THE KING PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PO Box 10095 | Raleigh, NC 27605
919-546-0515 | www.ctkraleigh.org