Ask the average person what they know about angels, and you’ll likely get a mix of fact and fiction. While the Bible doesn’t answer many questions that we may have about angels, there are some things that we do indeed know. One of those is seen in Luke 2:13-14: the angels praise.

We may be so accustomed to hearing “the Christmas story” that we overlook this familiar yet often forgotten fact. I don’t mean forgotten in the sense that we don’t remember this part of the story, but rather forgotten in the sense of practicing praise ourselves.

Angels are an example for us—they serve God, obey immediately, glorify God—and as seen here and in other places in Scripture, praise Him! (See also Isaiah 6:2-3 and Revelation 5:11-12.)

Angels, of course, aren’t our only example of praise and adoration in Scripture. We see God’s people doing this as well. The writers of the Psalms often express their personal praise. And we see it happening publicly in the assembly as well (1 Chronicles 29:10-20; Nehemiah 9:4-15; and 2 Chronicles 20:1-12, to mention a few).

I find it no small thing that when Jesus is born, the first things we see happening are rejoicing and praising. Some of our well-known Christmas songs beckon us to do the same: “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ.” Or, “O come let us adore Him!” 

So let the songs of the season—and certainly the example of the angels and others in Scripture—prompt you. How is your praising, worshiping, and adoring of God? Is it a normal part of your everyday life? Do you take time to see God’s involvement in your life each day and to thank Him for what He did that day? And to then praise and worship Him for the aspect of His character that resulted in what you had to thank Him for? Or is your praising reserved only for the occasional—perhaps when singing a song with the church or when you see God do something really “big”? If the angels find it their highest joy to praise God, shouldn’t we, too?

If this isn’t a part of your spiritual habits yet, take the challenge and make it a goal for the next week to increase your praise. At some point in your day, take a few minutes to reflect on the past 24 hours and think of what you have to be thankful for. Next, consider what aspect of God’s character produced that. Then praise, worship, and adore Him! Let this habit grow and develop so that we, too, like the angels, are in such awe of our God that we can’t help but praise Him continually.

This week’s reading plan

Day 1: Luke 2:8-15
Day 2: Luke 2:16-24
Day 3: Luke 2:25-35

This week’s memory verse

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
–Luke 2:13-14