Continuing this theme of understanding just how far it is from Heaven to earth ... consider what Isaiah saw and what the shepherds saw.
John said Isaiah saw Jesus' glory. When did that happen? Well, in the context of the passage we see John quoting a portion of Isaiah 6 ... so what happened in Isaiah 6? If you read 6:1-5 you see a pretty intense description Isaiah has of a King, a King on a throne ... in the temple. And this King is wearing a robe so majestic if fills up the entire temple. And there are angels, weird looking angels, declaring the glory of this King ... "holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty ... the whole earth is full of His glory." And as if that wasn't intense enough, the place starts to shake and fills up with smoke. That guy, that King, that's King Jesus ... in all His glory.
Now ... how does this same Jesus look in Luke 2? He's tiny. Helpless. Wrapped in strips of cloth, not robes of majesty. He's surrounded by animals and their food ... both pre-digested and post-digested I'm sure ... not smoke and shaking doorposts and six-winged flying worshippers. It's a different scene folks. Same Jesus. Emptied. Stepped out of glory into humility. Hebrews 2 says that he shared in our humanity, that "He had to be made like his brothers in every way." (v. 17) Jesus gave up more in the incarnation than we realize. And the reason He had to stoop so low? Our sin, our guilt, our need. He was born a little baby, helpless. He became helpless because we are helpless.
Now, there were some similarities in what happened in Isaiah 6 and in Luke 2. Consider the difference in the message of the angels. Isaiah 6 - declaring his holiness and glory, no mention of peace or good news. Luke 2 - these angels also declare his glory, but then ... “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (v. 14) A declaration of peace. The journey from Heaven to earth brought the hope for peace on earth.
Another similarity is in the effect the encounter had on Isaiah and on the shepherds. Re-read these accounts and see for yourself. Good stuff.
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