December 24

"Which things the angels desire to look into."—1 Peter 1:12.

THE angels bent over the cradle in Bethlehem.

They are servants of God: and here was One about to glorify God as they could never do. Their Prince had left His royalty and throne to honour the Father's law and to lead home the Father's banished. He was bringing forth a new diadem to crown Him in whom all their delights are placed. So they broke into song.

They dwell in peace: and here was One about to usher in the reign of peace where turmoil and sin had run riot. No variance ever mars their fellowship; no jarring note disturbs their converse. But on earth they found such bitterness, such wrangling, such unbrotherly war; and Jesus would end the mournful condition of things. It was no wonder that they were glad.

They throb with goodwill for men: and here was One about to endow men with heaven's richest blessings. They would fain have made His errand their own; but they could not pass through the agony to which He was setting His face, and they could not achieve the redemption He was to win. Their compassion, deep as it is, was inadequate; their strength, vast as it is, would have failed. But how they rejoiced when Christ bowed Himself to the heavy burden!

If the angels sang, shall not I sing too? None of the cherubim and seraphim owes to the manger and the cross the incalculable debt I owe. None of them can say, The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me. "Little lamb, who lost thee?" they question me, and it is my sorrowful answer, "I myself, none other." "Little lamb, who found thee?" they ask, and it is my glad response, "Jesus, Shepherd, Brother."