"Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men."
Well, when these angels came from heaven they told the news just as if they believed it; and though I have often wickedly doubted my Lord's good will, I think I never could have doubted it when I heard those angels singing. No, I would say, "The messengers themselves are proof of the truth, for it seems they have heard it from God's lips; they have no doubt about it, for see how joyously they tell the news." Now, poor soul, you that are afraid that God would destroy you, and you that think that God will never have mercy on you, look at the singing angels and doubt if you dare. Do not go to the church of long-faced hypocrites to hear the minister who preaches with a nasal twang, with misery in his face, while he tells you that God has goodwill towards men; I know you won't believe what he says, for he does not preach with joy in his face; he is telling you good news with a grunt, and you are not likely to receive it. But make a beeline to the plain where Bethlehem shepherds sat by night, and when you hear the angels singing out the gospel, by the grace of God on you, you cannot help believing that they feel the preciousness of telling the Good News. Blessed Christmas, that brings such creatures as angels to confirm our faith in God's goodwill to men!
