Perhaps we might assume that, were an angel to appear, we would each feel "happiness" and "great joy." However, as with anything we do not expect, the appearance of an angelic being to the lowly shepherds at first frightened them, and may have initially made the unreceptive to the angle's words. Hence, his declaration, "Don't be afraid!"

Among other things, the angel says that they news he has "will make everyone happy!" Well, that certainly did not appear to be the case. King Herod was definitely not happy about the birth of Jesus and sought several times to locate and kill Him. The leadership of the Jewish people (at that time) were not happy about Christ's birth, and ultimately convinced the Roman authorities to crucify Him. So, how could it be true that the angel's news was "very good" and would "make everyone happy"?

As with all things in the scriptures, context is important. While on the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgiven them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Truly, if they "knew" what they were doing, who would do it? As Father Raymond Brown explained: "If there were those who did not know because they had not been told, there were also those who did not know because, although they had been told, they did not grasp." So often we sin, or we reject that which is good or true, not because we are innately evil, but because we do not "see" or do not "know" what the truth. Truly, many were angered by Christ's coming and teachings. However, the angel rightly says that Jesus' birth would "make everyone happy"-and, in time, that will certainly be true.