The creation of angels is not recorded historically, but that of this visible universe; they, having been already created as a separate body of beings, show their interest in the works of God — “the morning stars sing together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:77When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:7)).
When Christ is born, first the Jewish aspect is announced to the shepherds, and then a multitude celebrating it — their public delight in God’s ways and with unjealous delight in them — declare that God’s good pleasure is in man. It is the heavenly aspect of it — they see God’s mind in it — not the conscience part or man’s evil. They chant glory to God, for His love is here, peace on this ruined earth — the place of their service.
When Christ enters on His ministry, they are His servants in the wilderness and in Gethsemane. The gospel revelation, which does not have them for its object, they desire to look into. The sufferings of Christ and the glories that follow bring a more solemn apprehension to their minds; it is not simple joy like creation or incarnation and its natural fruits; over every sinner that repents they rejoice; it is joy to them. In the church they learn, as in heavenly places, the manifold wisdom of God; they had seen the glory of God’s revelation on earth; they are to us, in love, ministering spirits; they praise, in a circle outside the redeemed, in the Apocalypse.
J. N. Darby