The circumstances

Suddenly, unexpectedly by them, without anything that might previously engage their attention – like a flash of lightening, a glory shone around them, an angel appeared and spoke. We do not wonder that they were impressed with fear. We live near, perhaps in the midst of, an invisible world, full of great and wonderful realities, which yet are by many accounted non-entities because not perceived by our bodily senses. The barriers are too strong to be passed either by the inhabitants of that world or of ours, for the will of God seems to be this barrier. Otherwise it is possible they could easily surprise us. We have a natural dread of such visitants, even though they should appear to us as they did to the shepherds, messengers of divine mercy. Yet we must shortly mingle with them, death will introduce us into the world of spirits, and what we shall meet with, what beings will be ready to accost us upon our entrance, who can say. Happy they who like Stephen are able at the hour of death to commend their departing spirit into the hands of Jesus!  

The angel spoke. It seems the only time the Gospel was preached by an angel. The angel that appeared to Cornelius, said nothing to him of Jesus, only directed him to Peter. In one sense the Gospel seems a fitter theme for the tongue of an angel than of a man. But angels never sinned – they could not speak from experience. In this respect poor sinful worms are better qualified to proclaim him to others by whom they have been saved and healed themselves. Their weakness likewise, is better suited to show that the efficacy of the Gospel is wholly owing to the power of God. He has therefore been pleased to put this treasure in earthen vessels and to commit the ministry of his word not to angels but to men.
 

The angel was sent with the most important news that could be made known, not to Caesar or Herod, or to the High Priest, but to poor shepherds. The Lord seeth not as man seeth. The petty distinctions among men are not regarded by him. But rank, wealth and wisdom usually add to the idea of self importance, and feeds those tempers which are most displeasing to him, and which indispose us for the reception of the Gospel. And in fact it is still hid generally from the wise and great, and revealed unto babes. The magi or wise men of the east were guided to the Messiah by the appearance of a new star or meteor. The shepherds who were acquainted with the prophecies concerning the Messiah, were informed of their accomplishment by an angel. Thus the Lord suited the different manner of intimating his will, to the previous situation of the persons.

Observe:

The seeming repugnance between the Messiah's claim, and his humiliation – was the great stumbling block in the days of his flesh, and is so at this day. [6] Because he stooped so low, and made himself of no reputation; too many still refuse to acknowledge his divine character.

But his believing people can say now with those of old, We beheld his glory, through the veil of his poverty and humiliation, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father – but they are only those who believe – who feel the necessity of a Saviour, and understand the necessity of his thus becoming poor to make us rich. [7]
 

But though this subject is received with disgust by many upon earth, and with indifference by more; it is otherwise thought of in yonder world of light. For we read that when the angel had declared the glad tidings, a multitude of the heavenly host expressed their joy and admiration.
 

We have:

Glory to God in the highest. In the highest heavens, in the highest degree, for this highest instance of his goodness. At the creation these morning stars sung for joy. But redemption was a greater work than they had yet seen. The glory of all his divine perfections is transcendently manifested, in the gift and actual appearance of the Messiah. The dignity of his person, the greatness of his undertaking, his unexampled love, his sufferings, and the glory that should follow, these are the themes of the songs of heaven.

Mercy and truth meeting together, the righteousness of God coinciding with the peace of sinners –holiness and justice displayed more clearly, by pardoning than by punishing, the honour of God and the salvation of men eternally secured – a sight of these wonderful provisions, cause angels as well as saints, to cry out, Who is a God like unto thee! [8]