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“Glory to God in the Highest”, December 25
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.
Luke 2:13, 14
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I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to make ... Christmas a blessing
to yourselves and others. [The birth of Jesus] was celebrated by the heavenly
host. Angels of God, in the appearance of a star, conducted the Wise Men
on their mission in search of Jesus. They came with gifts and costly offerings
of frankincense and myrrh, to pay their oblation to the infant King foretold in
prophecy. They followed the brilliant messengers with assurance and great joy.
The angels ... appeared to the humble shepherds, guarding their flocks by
night, upon Bethlehem’s plains. One angel first appeared, clothed with the panoply
of heaven; and so surprised and so terrified were the shepherds that they could
only gaze upon the wondrous glory of the heavenly visitant with unutterable
amazement. The angel of the Lord came to them and said, “Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy.... For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” ...
No sooner had their eyes become accustomed to the glorious presence of the
one angel, than, lo! the whole plain was lighted up with the wondrous glory of
the multitude of angels that peopled the plains of Bethlehem. The angel quieted
the fears of the shepherds before opening their eyes to behold the multitude of the
heavenly host, all praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth, peace, good will toward men.”
Then was the melody of heaven heard by mortal ears, and the heavenly choir
swept back to heaven as they closed their ever memorable anthem. The light
faded away and the shadows of the night once more fell on the hills and plains of
Bethlehem; but there remained in the hearts of the shepherds the brightest picture
mortal man had ever looked upon, and the blessed promise and assurance of the
advent to our world of the Saviour of men, which filled their hearts with joy and
gladness, mingled with faith and wondrous love to God.—
The Review and Herald,
December 9, 1884
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Those who love God should feel deeply interested in the children and youth.
To them God can reveal His truth and salvation. Jesus calls the little ones that
believe on Him the lambs of His flock. He has a special love for and interest in
the children.... The most precious offering that the children can give to Jesus, is
the freshness of their childhood.—
The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889
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