The View from Above by Steph Beth Nickel

The Heavenly Host waited in the wings, watching a remarkable scene unfold before them. Their commander was announcing the Messiah's birth to a group of shepherds. Shepherds! Who could have imagined it? Who except the Lord God Himself?

"Can you believe it?" The angel may have looked imposing, but he was full of questions.

"Of course I can. After all, this is what ADONAI said would happen," his closest companion said.

"But Mashiach, the Messiah, born in the obscure little town of His earthly ancestors ... That, in itself, is almost unbelievable. The Saviour born to an unassuming virgin, to be raised by a carpenter."

The angel stretched his wings. "The prophets of old proclaimed all these things."

"They did. But who could have imagined it would all come together this way?"

The second angel turned his attention to the commander. "Do not be afraid," he began.

"Easier said than done," the angel whispered.

"What was that?" the first angel asked.

"There they are. Shepherds watching over what must be the most stubborn and foolish creatures the Creator ever made. These humans have to keep the sheep from being eaten by wolves and bears through every watch of the night, no matter the weather or time of year. Wolves and bears ... who would just as likely make off with one of the shepherds if they were half as oblivious as their charges. The shepherds may not be afraid of the predators, but when the commander appears to them, lighting up the night sky, how must they feel about a directive not to be afraid?"

The second angel considered that for a moment. "You're right. Just one more mystery we must accept by faith."

"You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth ..."

The first angel shook his head. "Yeshua exchanging His royal robes for strips of cloth. Isaiah had it right when he said ADONAI Elyon's plans are higher than the plans of all humanity."

"And His thoughts higher than theirs."

The angel nodded. "Look at those men. Huddling in fear despite the commander telling them not to fear and his promise of Good News and great joy."

His companion smiled broadly. "Can you imagine how they would feel if ADONAI stood before them?"

"And, in a way, they will soon be standing before Him." He shook his head in wonder.

"And here I thought I was the one thinking clearly. That may be the most profound thing you've ever said."

"ADONAI Elohim gives us wisdom and promises it to the men and women He created—"

"That's the only way they have any hope of grasping what's going on tonight."

The first angel nodded again.

The second held up his hand. "The commander has said all the Lord instructed him to."

"And now we get to join in the most amazing event since creation. I wonder if people will write about this night."

"For millennia to come, I'm sure."

With that, they joined the rest of their company proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth shalom to men of good will."

Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society.  Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.