Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him

Every Christmas, our family sets up a nativity scene in our den. I imagine you have one in your home as well, featuring the major characters: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, and even the wise men, who weren’t at the stable that night.

However, there’s another group most nativity scenes don’t fully represent, even though this group had the best seats in the house for the Christmas story. They’re described in 1 Timothy 3:16:

[Jesus] was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Did you notice the other group that witnessed the birth of Jesus? Jesus was seen by angels. The angels are a vital part of the Christmas story!

The angels understand the miracle of Christmas better than anyone—and their response to the Savior demonstrates how we should respond as well.

In his article “Christmas as the Angels Saw It,” pastor Colin Smith points out several events in Jesus’s life and ministry that were witnessed by the angels. For example, Colossians 1:16 says Jesus created all things, including the angels. So when the angels came into being, the first thing they saw was Jesus Christ in all His glory!

Imagine how astonished they must have been when their Creator left His throne and came to earth to provide the way of salvation. The angels couldn’t contain themselves—they erupted in praise! Luke 2:13–14 says, “Suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’”

Smith notes other events the angels witnessed during Jesus’s life on earth:

• The temptation in the wilderness. Afterward, “angels came and began to minister to Him” (Matthew 4:11). They were amazed that the Son of God would put himself through such an ordeal for our benefit.

• The agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus did not want to undergo the horror of the crucifixion. So intense was His struggle to submit to God’s will that “an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him” (Luke 22:43).

• The crucifixion. I believe the angels watched for a sign to deliver Jesus from the cross. But Jesus didn’t ask for help because He was fulfilling His purpose on earth.

• The resurrection. Matthew 28:2 says, “An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” I picture that angel sitting there smiling, saying defiantly, “So much for the power of death!”

• The ascension. After Jesus ascended, two angels said to His disciples, in essence, “What are you gawking at? Don’t you realize He is coming back one day?”

The angels don’t know exactly when Jesus is coming back again. But one day, God is going to turn to them and say, “It’s go time!” Matthew 25:31 says, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.”

How will you respond to Jesus this Christmas season? As you answer, consider this: Who has the better grasp on reality—those of us who walk this earth for seventy or eighty years, or the beings who have seen it all? The angels respond to Jesus by crying out, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

The angels adore Jesus, and so should we. To adore Christ means to trust in Him as your Savior. To submit your will to His will. To obey Him daily. To give your very best gifts to Him and His church. And to proclaim Him to the world.

Come, let us adore Him together—for He alone is worthy!