Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:8-12

The shepherds, calmed from their initial shock of seeing an angel by his words, “Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy…”, are now overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of the heavenly host. How big was this angelic army? We don’t know. But the text uses the largest number in the Greek to describe the crowd, and it takes that number and multiplies it by the same number. You get the idea: all-time record crowd. This angelic army appears as a choir singing glory to God. This is their first earthly public appearance. It is the major event of eternity, the display of God’s glory on earth in the birth of His son!

There are three parts to this chorus of praise:

1. “Glory to God in the highest”

This is about the redemption of man through the work of Jesus for the praise and glory of God. It is more than a celebration, it is more than a coronation, it is as if all of heaven has come to participate in the announcement: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” [v.11]

2. “on earth peace”

What is coming is the perfect peace that passes all understanding. The peace that comes when God takes the initiative to reconcile sinful man and a holy God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” [Romans 15:1]

3. “on whom his favor rests”

Now has come the time for his coming of God’s goodness and kindness to sinful man. Now is the time for His mercy to be fully revealed through the work of his son. “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” [2 Corinthians 4:6]