“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13,14).

When Christ came to earth for His first advent, many angels serving in God’s mighty army (“host”) of “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) briefly left their posts and battle stations to gather above the shepherd’s field in Bethlehem and joined in mighty chorus to praise God for the mighty plan of redemption underway. The second verse of the well-loved Christmas carol, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” echoes this event.

Heaven’s arches rang When the angels sang, Proclaiming thy royal decree; But of lowly birth Didst thou come to earth, And in great humility.

Yes, the King had been born, but the angel said to the shepherds, “Ye shall find the babe [i.e., the King] wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger . . . And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12,16).

Jesus continued that life of humility, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9), expanding it into a lifestyle of service and example.

“Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you” (John 13:13–15).

“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for thee.” JDM