"For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him" (Hebrews 1:5-6)

Many of us are familiar with the Christmas story. We know the account of Jesus’s birth—how He came into the world through ordinary people in the most humble of circumstances. Born among animals in a stable because there was no room at the inn, His beginning was quiet and unassuming from a human perspective. We celebrate this beautiful story each year, and it rightfully holds a special place in our hearts.

But when we look at this event only from our earthly viewpoint, we miss something extraordinary. While humanity slept, heaven was throwing a magnificent celebration. Jesus's birth was a monumental occasion, and God dispatched a host of angels to announce it.

Luke’s gospel paints a vivid picture: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord... Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests'" (Luke 2:8-14).

Imagine that scene. The quiet night is shattered by the appearance of what the Amplified Bible calls "an army of the troops of heaven." While we see a humble birth, God pulled out all the stops to glorify and celebrate His Son entering humanity. The angelic message was simple and profound: because of Jesus, peace was being extended from God to mankind. This wasn't the arrival of a judge but the coming of a Savior, the ultimate expression of God's desire to reconcile the world to Himself.

A Son with God's Stamp of Approval

The book of Hebrews makes a powerful case for the supremacy of Jesus. He is far superior to the angels, and even the name He has inherited is greater than theirs (Hebrews 1:4). This passage reminds us of a unique declaration God made only to Jesus: "You are my Son."

Now, we know that Jesus has always existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is eternal—He always was, is, and will be. As part of the Trinity, He has always existed in divine equality with God. So, what is the significance of this moment where God calls Him His Son in this context? It signifies that Jesus came to earth with the full blessing and complete authority of the Father. God placed His stamp of approval on Jesus. Everything Jesus said and did was initiated, backed, and approved by God. What a marvelous truth to consider.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly emphasized this connection. He told the people that He only spoke what He heard from the Father. He explained that He only did what He saw the Father doing. On several occasions, He clarified that He was here to do the work His Father gave Him. This intimate relationship within the Trinity is expressed to us in a way our hearts can grasp: the relationship between a Father and a Son.

Jesus was not merely God’s servant. A servant, as Jesus pointed out, doesn't always know the master's business. But as the Son, Jesus has the full rights, privileges, authority, knowledge, and counsel of God. Everything He heard from the Father, He has made known to us.

It’s no wonder God announced Jesus’s birth with an army of angels. It was one of the most significant moments in all of history. Heaven erupted in celebration while the world was largely unaware. God has never bestowed such glory and honor upon an angel, but He did for Jesus because Jesus is the Savior. What He came to do for humanity far exceeds anything else ever done.

This is a wonderful truth to let soak in. Jesus, the Savior, was sent by God on a mission of love. His work is now finished, and He resides at the Father's right hand, both resurrected and glorified. From that position of honor, He offers hope, peace, and salvation to everyone who calls on His name.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life could God be working behind the scenes in ways you don't yet see?

2. How does Jesus’s full authority as God’s Son shape your trust in His guidance?

3. What does it mean to you personally to receive God’s peace and favor through Jesus?