Characters at the Cradle: The Birth of Jesus, Glory to God in the Highest

by David Chadwick

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes. While there, Jesus was born in a smelly manger instead of a nice inn. The God of all creation chose to enter the world in the most humble of states. Jesus is the main character at the cradle. His birth was the catalyst to draw every other character to the cradle.

So what happens next in the story? Let’s look at Luke 2:8-14 to see who were the first characters at the cradle following Jesus’s birth.

Verse 8 says that the shepherds were “out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Suddenly, an angel appeared to them. Like we see in many biblical accounts, when an angel would show up, the shepherds were filled with great fear as God’s glory shone around them. Do you remember how Zechariah and Mary responded? They were afraid. But this fear is different from sinful fears. Think more of an awe and reverence as sinful humans stand before holy angels.

The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The angel’s message, one of enormous joy, would both change their lives forever and touch all of humanity for all of time.

The angel went on to tell the shepherds where they would find this baby, “wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” This is all the detail Luke included. Somehow, some way, the simplicity of that statement would take the shepherds straight to the Christ child. Could it be that God chose the most radically humble of locations to be the very way that people would find the King of kings?

Following the angel’s message, astoundingly, a mass heavenly angelic choir appeared, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

While the Bible clearly says that the angels were “saying” this, I can’t help but hear it put to music every time I read these words! Whenever I hear Christmas songs that say, “Glory to God,” I immediately think of this verse. I picture a multitude of angels singing, almost like a military choir singing in perfect harmony because, after all, angels are God’s armies!

The shepherds heard the news! God had finally come! Immanuel. The 400 years of silence had been deafeningly broken. Per the angel’s instructions, it was time for some to begin to visit him! Can you believe it? The first human guests to come visit God in human flesh were the shepherds. Not the rich and powerful, but lowly shepherds. Another theme of humility invading the Christmas story. God made a statement by inviting the lowly, seemingly insignificant ones to be the first to come to his birth party.

How great is our God!