It sounds like it would have been better for God just to stay within the heavenly realms.
Luke 2:1-52
Reference: v.10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (NIV Bible)
Explore: I often wonder whether the angels really would have been happy about Jesus coming to earth. I mean, they could see how wonderful it was in Heaven. All things were perfect and there were angels assigned to constantly declare the glory of God. And then they look at earth! On earth there was poverty and arguing, depravity and pain. Could they really be happy that Jesus was going to walk amongst it all?
Application: The amazing humility of God is that He was already amongst it all anyway. With our limited understanding of Heaven, it sounds like it would have been better for God just to stay within the heavenly realms and let humans pay the consequences for the mess that we had made for ourselves. However, that is not the way our God works. He is loving, compassionate, merciful and desires a relationship with His creation. And so He sacrifices His Son for us. In the form of a baby, Jesus enters the earth and the angels sing 'Glory to God' upon his entrance. I guess that is why they sung God's praise. They had a better understanding of what He was giving up. They may not have understood it but they could see that His favour truly did rest upon all people.
Prayer: Lord, we will never be able to fully understand the huge sacrifice You gave by coming here on earth. Thank you that we have salvation through You. Amen.
What does Jesus' life here on earth mean to you?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.