December 27: The Heavenly Host
Yesterday we focused on the recipients of the announcement of Jesus’s birth, but we can’t skip over how wild the delivery of that big news was. What even is a heavenly host? Let’s jump back into the Scripture and see what God has for us.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13–14
There are so many things we could explore from this holy moment, but today, we’re reminded of heaven and the hope it offers.
Now, we know from a previous devo that angelic appearances are fairly common in the Bible. But, this one is unique because it mentions the heavenly host, meaning there are a lot of angels that showed up in the sky for the shepherds that day. Most of the time, when an angel appears, it’s one or two or three. But for a multitude to appear on Jesus’s birthday?! That was another marker that this was a huge deal for God and His heavenly kingdom.
As modern readers who get to see this story in the full picture of the Bible, we can’t help but make the connection to the other time a whole bunch of angels are mentioned. Can you think of where it is? Yup, the book of Revelation!
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’”
Revelation 5:11–12, emphasis added
This moment in Scripture comes from a vision that God gave the apostle John of the throne room of Heaven. There, the angels (the full heavenly host!) were worshiping God with all their hearts. They were singing to Him, just like they were in front of the shepherds. They were passionately giving God glory and honor.
The similarities are too much to ignore. It seems that the heavenly host on the day of Jesus’s birth was a signpost for heaven, a glimpse of what was to come; perhaps even a hint at what Jesus came to earth to do.
What was His mission–the one He repeated time and time again?
“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
Matthew 4:17, emphasis added
Jesus’s birth was heaven crashing into earth. It was the start of eternity, the glory of God resting among us. It’s beautiful! The hosts of heaven came to announce the God-Man who would usher in the kingdom of heaven on earth.
So, if the Kingdom of Heaven is here (which we know it is thanks to Jesus’s victory on the cross), what does that mean for us? Well, it means we have hope. We have hope that when life is at its hardest, God already won the battle for us. We have hope that God has prepared a home in heaven for those who call upon His name. We have hope that we get to be with Jesus forever.
Today, let that hope settle deep into your heart. Worship with the angels! Give God all the glory He deserves!
Pray: Jesus, thank you for bringing the kingdom of heaven near.
Further Study: Look back at our other angel devo on December 19th. How does today’s devo build on your previous understanding?
Interact: What are you hoping for in this next season of your life?
