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His own appearance was despicable; that of His retinue was most magnificent. He who was the ancient of days became a helpless infant: He who was the light of the sun, comes into the world in the darkness of the night: He who came that He might lay us in the bosom of the Father, is Himself laid in the manger of a stable. But though meanly welcomed on earth, yet heaven makes abundant amends for all.

I. For the first it is said that AN INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF THE HEAVENLY HOST PRAISED GOD. Strange that they should make this day of heaven's humiliation their festival and day of thanksgiving.

1. The holy angels rejoiced at the birth of Christ, because it gave them occasion to testify their deepest humility and subjection. To be subject to Christ while He sat upon the throne of His kingdom, arrayed with unapproachable light, controlling all the powers of heaven with a beck, was no more than His infinite glory exacted from them: but to be subject to Him in a cratch, when He hid His beams, was not obedience only but condescension. Now the time is come when they may express their fidelity and Obedience in the lowest estate of their Lord.

2. The angels rejoiced at the birth of Christ because the confirmation of that blessed estate of grace and glory, wherein they now stand, depended upon His incarnation. The government of all creatures is laid upon His shoulders. He is the "head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10; Ephesians 1:10). The Mediator confirms them in their holy estate; therefore they rejoiced at the birth of Christ, wherein they saw the Godhead actually united to the human nature; since the merit of this union, long before that, prevailed for their happy perseverance.

3. The holy angels rejoiced at the birth of Christ, from the fervent desire they have of man's salvation.

II. WHAT THIS ANGELICAL SONG CONTAINS IN IT?

1. God's glory. God's glory is of two sorts, essential and declarative. The abasing nativity of Jesus Christ is the highest advancement of God's glory. This is a strange riddle to human reason, for God to raise His glory out of humiliation.

(1) In the birth of Christ God glorified the riches of His infinite wisdom. This was a contrivance that would never have entered into the hearts either of men or angels. It is called the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The question was how to satisfy justice in the punishment of sinners, and yet to gratify mercy in their pardon.

(2) The birth of Christ glorified the almighty power of God. Is it not almighty power that the infinite Godhead should unite to itself dust and ashes, and be so closely united, that it should grow into one and the same person.

(3) By the birth of Christ God glorified the severity of His justice. His Son must rather take flesh and die than that this attribute should remain unsatisfied.

(4) By the birth of Christ the truth and veracity of God is eminently glorified, by fulfilling many promises and predictions.

(5) The birth of Christ glorifies the infinite purity and holiness of God.

(6) Hereby the infinite love and pity of God are eminently glorified.

2. Peace on earth.

(1) Peace mutually, between man and man.

(2) Peace internally, with a man's self, in the region of his own spirit and conscience.

(3) Peace with God. Christ was sent into this world as a minister of peace, as a mediator of peace.

(a) All the precepts of His doctrine do directly tend to the establishing of peace among men. Christianity teaches us not to offer any injury to others. Christ forbids private revenge and retaliating of wrongs.

(b) The examples of Christ all tend to peace. But Christ says (Matthew 10:34, 35), we must distinguish between the direct end of Christ's coming into the world and the accidental issue of it.

3. The infinite love and goodwill that God hath shown towards men.

(1) If you consider the Person sent, this will exalt the goodness of God toward us. He lay under no necessity of saving us.

(2) Consider the manner and circumstances of Christ's coming into the world, then will appear the infinite love and goodwill of God. That Christ was sent, as from the Father, freely: as to Himself, ignominiously.

(3) The infinite goodwill of God in sending Jesus Christ into the world appears to be glorious and great, if you consider the persons to whom He was sent. This love is pitched upon froward, peevish, and rebellious creatures.

(4) It is evident from these many great benefits, of which, by Christ's coming, we are made partakers.

(E. Hopkins, D. D.)

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

WEB: Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,