It really must have been difficult for the angels to watch Jesus come to earth. These angels were God’s warriors and therefore under the Savior’s command. So, when it came time for Gabriel to announce to Mary, Joseph, and Zacheriah the coming of John and of Jesus, they would realize their commander was stepping away from His deity.
Then to watch Jesus on earth, living as a humble human and rabbi, the angels probably wanted to keep screaming “Do you not understand that you have God right there with you?” They probably wished to destroy the religious leaders that sought to undermine and kill Jesus. But the Father said NO!
Finally, as the time of Christ’s sacrifice, it probably took all their strength not to race down and save their commander as he was beaten and killed. When God tore the curtain, the warriors wanted to destroy some folks as well. Still, as they watched the Lord rise and ascend back to His place by the Father, they knew things were different. For the Father had exalted Him to the highest place and gave Jesus the name above all names. So, in reverence and respect, they all bowed the knee to that baby born in a manger.
Bebo Norman wrote this song, that literally brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it. It gives a great picture of what the angels thought on that 1st Christmas Morning. I hope you enjoy it.
God Bless You
14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Walking With God 