Luke 2:9

Luke 2:9

Luke 2:9 describes the angelic visitation: “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” The shepherds’ fear is immediate and human, a natural response to divine revelation. The “glory of the Lord” radiating around them signals theophany—a visible manifestation of God’s presence. This moment collapses the distance between heaven and earth, inviting awe and trust. The choice of shepherds as the recipients of the message intensifies the theme that God is turning conventional expectations on their head: ordinary people are invited into extraordinary revelation. The response of fear also frames the subsequent message of good news—fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke emphasizes the pastoral setting to remind readers that the gospel brings joy to the humble and ordinary, not only to the powerful or pious.

The encounter emphasizes God’s initiative in salvation history. Divine courage addresses human fear; God’s message replaces fear with good news. The glory of the Lord demonstrates God’s presence among humanity, foreshadowing Emmanuel: God with us. It also shows that revelation often comes in peaceful, intimate moments rather than spectacular displays alone, inviting trust and worship.

In today’s fast-paced world, fear can block hearing God’s message. The response to fear—hear the good news, and choose faith—offers a practical template: pause, listen, and respond. You can model this by sharing personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness, offering reassurance to friends facing uncertainty, and creating spaces for honest spiritual conversation. The text also invites believers to cultivate a posture of awe in daily life, noticing how God might break into ordinary moments with grace.

Cross-References: Exodus 3:2-6; Luke 1:11-12; Luke 1:68-69; Isaiah 6:3-5; Romans 8:15