At about the same time as when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, something happened that just about scared some shepherds to death. Without any warning the dark of night was lit up by a messenger from God. This messenger shone, and in his presence even the shepherds were immersed in this light:

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:8-9)

We know this angel from somewhere, don't we! He is the angel who many times is simply called "the angel of the Lord"! He is the same messenger that came to Mary (nine months earlier, to tell her that she was highly favored of God the Father), and Joseph (to tell him not to leave Mary, but to marry her). His name is Gabriel, and he was obviously the angel of the events of the meridian of times. He visited Zacharias (to tell him that his old wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to John the Baptist), and several more times to Joseph and Mary.

But the shepherds were very afraid. They have never seen a lighter night than full moon, and suddenly there was a man there who was shining like the sun! Was it a ghost or a devil? Or was it perhaps the judgment of God that was come upon them to destroy them for their sins?

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

"He tolt us not to fear. He said that he had good tidings of great joy. That a Savior, even Christ the Lord was born today. In Bethlehem of all places! So our mothers knew it. They promised us a savior would come. But what if this is a devil, wanting to lead us astray!"

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)

So, in answer to the insecurity of the lowly shepherds, the angel gave them a sign, so that they would know for certain that the message was from God, and that the Messiah truly was born that day. And then, the second witness:

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13-14)

This wonderful witness of the angelic host had a very specific meaning, which was given from God two thousand years ago, which significance proves that God could see the religious follies of the future. This testimony of the angels is the message from the Father:

The Father and the Son are two separate individuals, and God would keep on giving this message to the world several more times. But there are those who have ears who will not hear, and who have eyes who will not see. Listen to the words of the angels:" Glory to God in the highest". Clearly, this can be aimed at no-one but the Father, since Jesus at this time was in Bethlehem! This alone proves that the father and the son cannot be one and the same. And then the angel continues by referring to the Son, who is now upon the earth:" and on earth Peace". Why is the name Peace a reference to Jesus?

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah (53:5)

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14)

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Jesus is peace, his name is peace, and he brings peace. It is easy for anyone without a heavy baggage of duties and fear coming from such churches who will not see truth as simple as it is. If the angelic host were to come to you today to give you a message equally true today as the message was to the shepherds two thousand years ago, the message would be: Glory to God in the highest, and on his right side peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:15-17)

It appears that the shepherds were the first missionaries testifying of Jesus Christ in the meridian of time. They made known abroad! There must have been many people who heard their first hand testimony that they had seen the newborn Messiah, and that a host of angels testified to them that it was so.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (Luke 2:18)

Hundred, perhaps thousands of people lived with the memory of having heard that the Christ was born already. This could have spread rapidly across the entire nation, and surely, when Jesus ministry began, there were many who remembered, or who were told by their mothers that this was going to happen. It is easy to think that the missionary labors of the shepherds had a clear effect upon the receptiveness of the people when Jesus began to preach his gospel.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:8-19)