Angels were the first to preach Christ; Angels: Day 176

Last updated on: January 13, 2017 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Angels were the first to preach Christ; Angels: Day 176 2017-01-02T20:03:42-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When a priest at your parish church preaches Christ, says St. Cyril of Alexandria, he joins his voice to the voices of the original shepherds, who learned the good news of Christ’s coming from the angels themselves.

The company of the holy prophets had foretold that, in due time, he would be born in the flesh, and that he would put on our likeness. Now that this hope had been fulfilled, the rational powers of Heaven brought the happy news of his appearance in the world to shepherds at Bethlehem—the first to receive the knowledge of the mystery. And this is a type that corresponds to the reality: for Christ reveals himself to the spiritual shepherds, so that they can preach him to the rest—just as the holy angels taught Christ’s mystery to the shepherds, who then ran to bring the happy news to their neighbors.

Angels, then, are the first to preach him, and declare his glory, God miraculously born of a woman in the flesh.

So when you see the child wrapped in swaddling clothes, do not let your thought stop at his birth in the flesh. Rise to contemplate his Godlike glory. Elevate your mind; climb up to Heaven. Then you will see him in the highest exalta- tion, with transcendent glory. You will see him lifted up on a throne. You will hear the Seraphim praising him in hymns, and saying that “heaven and earth are full of his glory.”

Indeed, this has even happened on earth. For the glory of God shone to the shepherds, and a multitude of the heavenly host told Christ’s glory. Many holy prophets were born from time to time, but none of them ever was glorified by angels’ voices—for they were men, like us. But Christ was not like them: he is God and Lord. He was the one who sent the holy prophets. As the psalmist says, “Who in the clouds shall be compared to the Lord, and who shall be likened to the Lord among the sons of God?” –St. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, 2:8-18

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

No one can praise God adequately. But do I set aside some time in my prayer life just to praise God for his goodness and show my gratitude?

CLOSING PRAYER

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3).

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Angels

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint Cyril of Alexandria

Previous Post

January 13, 2017

CBB Giveaway: The Church is Our Mother AND Icons, The Essential Collection

Next Post

January 14, 2017 The best news ever; Angels: Day 177

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz