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Luke 2:9-10, And behold, an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the

         glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly

         afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for

         behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to

         all people.”

Angels are portrayed as cute, winged beings that carry harps and move around on clouds.  There is a great desire to meet and talk to angels.  But even a casual reading of the Bible

 reveals that when angels showed up, people went to the ground in fear.  So, it was with the shepherds – they were filled with fear.  

“Do not fear” was their message.  We have Good News to proclaim to you!  A Savior, Christ the Lord, is born in the city of David!  Not only was this the message for the shepherds but to all they would tell about the events they would participate in the next hours.  It was a message to a people in history that had not received a message from God for 400 years.  These people had lived under the burden of the Roman Empire; the fear of death was part of daily life if they did not submit to Roman demands.  Pax Romana or Roman peace was descriptive of the times but for the Jewish people and slaves, it was a slogan only.  The message of great joy given by the angels was a welcome word for the people of the time.  

"Fear not" is a welcome word for us today.

Luke 2:13, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God!  We know their proclamation in the following Christmas carol.

 Hark the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn king"
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all ye nations rise join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem"
With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem"

                    

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