Overview and Objectives

In the shepherds’ fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of witnesses formed a bridge between Isaiah and Mary. According to the New Testament (Luke 2:8-14), terrified Jewish shepherds were visited by an angel who announced the birth of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (vv.10-12). As the shepherds told it, the sky was filled with angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (v.14).

When you complete this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

As you proceed through this lesson have the following question in mind.
What is your belief about the existence of angels and what characterizes them?