The Prince of Peace

Angels of the Bible

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THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

July 29.

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.—Luke 2: 9.

THE humble cave of Bethlehem is now the center of attraction
to the heavenly hosts. In the deep silence of the midnight
hour, whilst animate and inanimate nature slept, a light from
heaven shone over the humble manger and angels worshiped
God-made man. Leaving the rich and learned of the earth to
discover the meaning of the new star seen in the eastern heavens,
a message of simplest wording, requiring no interpretation, is
sent to the lowly shepherds. All suddenly, they know not whence
he came, a radiant form stands beside them,'' and the brightness
of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great
fear." But a melodious voice sounded in their ears, speaking
words of comfort. "Fear not," said the angel, "for behold I
bring you good tiding of great joy, v/hich shall be to all the
people. For this day is born to you a Savior who is Christ the
Lord." And then there appeared a multitude of the heavenly
host, praising God and saying,'' And saying glory in the highest,
and on earth, peace.'' When the awed listeners to this heavenly
harmony spoke, how discordant must not their voices have
sounded, even to themselves. There is no event in all the childhood
around which more graceful legends have clustered than the
flight into Egypt. Angels are particularly busy here, from the
one who roused Joseph from his sleep saying, "Arise and take
the Child and His mother and fly into Egypt," to the dainty
cherubs who poise themselves among the branches of the sycamore
trees. Angels lead the ass upon which our Lady rides, and angels
bring them food, arrange for their shelter at nightfall, lead the
way through the wearying desert and along the barren sea coast.
And when the time is come for the return to Nazareth an angel
again leads the way. The helpless infancy is passed, and with
His parents He goes up to Jerusalem. And afterwards! The
record of the next eighteen years is summed up in five words.
We would fain know more, our hearts yearn over that sweet group
at Nazareth ; such never was womanhood more perfect, mother-
hood more tender. And far beyond all reverend homage and
loving service rendered by Son to parent, was the filial abnegation
of that Boy. For "He was subject to them." That is all. We
would question of the ministering spirits something of those
precious years, that wonderful childhood, that gracious youth,
that benignant early manhood ; but all is silence. There we must
leave Him in that humble cottage beneath the shadow of the
Galilean mountains, with the angels for His playfellows while
He grows in grace with God and man. —M.

"What means this glory round our feet,"
The Magi mused, "more bright than morn?"
And voices chanted, clear and sweet,
"Today the Prince of Peace is born."

"What means that star," the shepherds said,
"That brightens through the rocky glen?"
And angels, answering overhead,
Sang, "Peace on earth, good will to men."

And they who do their souls no wrong,
But keep at eve the faith of morn,
Shall daily hear the angel 's song,
"Today the Prince of Peace is born!"
—James Russell Lowell.