Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To the Shepherds
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The appearance of angels to the shepherds is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. This event is celebrated as part of the Nativity story, marking the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ to humble shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem.

Biblical Account:

The account of the angelic appearance to the shepherds is found in Luke 2:8-14. The narrative begins with shepherds tending their flocks by night:

"And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (Luke 2:8-9)

The sudden appearance of the angel, accompanied by the radiant glory of the Lord, understandably instills fear in the shepherds. However, the angel quickly reassures them with a message of great joy:

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'" (Luke 2:10-12)

The angel's message is profound, announcing the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord, in the City of David, which is Bethlehem. The angel provides a specific sign for the shepherds to identify the newborn Savior: a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Following this announcement, a multitude of the heavenly host appears, praising God and proclaiming peace:

"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!'" (Luke 2:13-14)

Theological Significance:

The appearance of angels to the shepherds holds deep theological significance. It underscores the theme of divine revelation to the humble and lowly, as shepherds were considered among the lower social classes of the time. The announcement of Jesus' birth to shepherds highlights God's grace and the inclusivity of the Gospel message.

Moreover, the angelic proclamation of "peace on earth" signifies the coming of the Prince of Peace, whose birth heralds reconciliation between God and humanity. The heavenly host's praise emphasizes the glory of God and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through the birth of Jesus.

Conclusion:

The angelic appearance to the shepherds is a pivotal moment in the Nativity story, illustrating the joyous announcement of Christ's birth to ordinary people. This event reflects the broader biblical theme of God's favor and peace extended to all humanity through Jesus Christ. The shepherds' encounter with the angels serves as a reminder of the divine initiative in revealing the Good News and the transformative impact of the Savior's birth.
Nave's Topical Index
Luke 2:9-11,13,14
And, see, the angel of the Lord came on them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Joy Born at Bethlehem
... believed that if any man beheld supernatural appearances, he would ... under the power
of the Holy Spirit you take ... you know the joy which the angel's song predicts ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/joy born at bethlehem.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... may grant to him in a spirit of candour ... Now, that miraculous appearances have sometimes
been witnessed by ... challenges the account also that an angel rolled away ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... from the Old Testament (29-32), and discussing the appearances of our ... whereas it
was formerly called a demon, or angel of Satan, or spirit of fornication ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... of Christ's life is owing to the spirit and presence of ... Did she settle down to all
appearances as an ordinary ... Thereupon an angel appears to him and informs him ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Gabriel, angel, how regarded by the Jews, i.142; ... Holy Spirit, the, descent of,
at Christ's Baptism, i.284-287; ... appearances after, 634-651; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... Even the hateful, evil, false appearances of towers, chalices, and churches, which ...
[40] This angel, the companion ... It had in it more of the spirit and less of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... A second Light is the Angel, a kind of outflow or ... The Spirit is eager, the Consecrator
is ready, the Gift ... And you shall know, both by appearances [4200] and by ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... of them that beheld Him by unreal appearances; and that ... He sweats, He is strengthened
by an angel, betrayed by ... a cross by Jews, He commends His spirit to the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue ii the unconfounded.htm

part ii
... Judging by Satan's malicious actions in the world, by their number and power,
we can guess how powerful a spirit was Satan, the fallen angel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... find, that after Antichrist, as to the spirit and mystery ... is taken also: 'And I saw
an angel come down ... pitch tent there: neither shall the shepherds make their ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Resources
Is there an angel of death? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about the angel Gabriel? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to have angel figurines? | GotQuestions.org

Angel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Angel

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Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit are Wise

Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit of Different Orders

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Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To John, on the Island of Patmos

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Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Joshua, "The Captain of the Lord's Host"

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Lot, in Sodom

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Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To the Israelites

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To the Shepherds

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Related Terms

Angel's (3 Occurrences)

Manoah (14 Occurrences)

Mano'ah (14 Occurrences)

Araunah (14 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Relented (9 Occurrences)

Relax (5 Occurrences)

Regret (17 Occurrences)

Destroyer (23 Occurrences)

Sounded (66 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Realized (33 Occurrences)

Blew (37 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Repented (49 Occurrences)

Disaster (131 Occurrences)

Messenger (235 Occurrences)

Blade (23 Occurrences)

Abaddon (7 Occurrences)

Shone (27 Occurrences)

Sickle (13 Occurrences)

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)

Tobit

Key (8 Occurrences)

Talked (79 Occurrences)

Donkey (84 Occurrences)

Smote (281 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Exclaiming (6 Occurrences)

Descending (23 Occurrences)

Detain (4 Occurrences)

Blazing (27 Occurrences)

Balaam's (6 Occurrences)

Bochim (2 Occurrences)

Bottomless (9 Occurrences)

Censer (10 Occurrences)

Assyrian (18 Occurrences)

Afflicting (8 Occurrences)

Arau'nah (6 Occurrences)

Sixth (45 Occurrences)

Saying (2162 Occurrences)

Sprang (23 Occurrences)

Abyss (11 Occurrences)

Realize (29 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Sorry (27 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Blows (105 Occurrences)

Apollyon (1 Occurrence)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Appeared (137 Occurrences)

Eaten (211 Occurrences)

Bush (14 Occurrences)

Zacharias (11 Occurrences)

Smitten (215 Occurrences)

Angelic (6 Occurrences)

Destroying (64 Occurrences)

Stick (47 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Sardis (3 Occurrences)

Sky (278 Occurrences)

Announce (56 Occurrences)

Belonging (90 Occurrences)

Voices (76 Occurrences)

Pit (110 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Michael (16 Occurrences)

Arise (235 Occurrences)

Passed (329 Occurrences)

Cornelius (10 Occurrences)

Assembly (371 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Crushing (93 Occurrences)

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)

Appear (111 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Behold (1513 Occurrences)

Single (65 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To the Israelites
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