Advent: Angels We Have Heard

As the final week of advent approaches, let’s take a minute to look at the angels involved in the Christmas story.

Like so many other things, angels are a central component to many Christmas decorations and scenes. Cards and lawns and shelves are adorned with nativity scenes that showcase a young mother and father, a baby in a manger, sometimes shepherds and/or wise men, and often, an angel hovering above it all. We decorate the top of our trees with angels, and we have songs of angels singing beautifully, voices like Christmas bells ringing throughout the land proclaiming peace and joy. While these images and depictions of angels are almost certainly not what it was actually like (there’s a reason angels always say “do not be afraid”), we cannot escape the truth that angels played an important role in this story.

The word angel means messenger. We see, in the Christmas story, multiple messages that were delivered. Each was specific and intentional. Each came from God Himself.

First, we see an angel deliver the message to Mary that she had found favor with God and was the chosen vessel through which the Messiah would enter the world. It was a message of amazement and wonder, but also a message of God’s power and purpose. The message is incredible, a virgin will give birth to a son. Incredible. This son is the Son of God. Incredible. This child will be king (though Mary was not royal). Incredible. It was all incredible and unbelievable, but it is summed up in Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Second, we see an angel deliver the message to Joseph that his betrothed was faithful, to him and to God. It was a message that relieved a troubled heart and mind. It was a message that he could rely on God. It was a message that he could rely on Mary. It was a message that confirmed salvation and fulfillment of promise. It was a message of faithfulness. Mary was faithful. In response to the message, Joseph was faithful. God was faithful to His promise “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet.” – Matthew 1:22 Even when mankind is not faithful, and falls away, God remains faithful. “...he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21B

Third, we see angels deliver the message to the shepherds in the fields. This was a message of joy and wonder. Something beyond incredible had happened. God, the Almighty, the Creator had come to man, had humbled Himself, had inserted Himself into our world, in order that we may all be saved. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11 It was a message of joy. “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” – Luke 2:10 It was a message of excitement. It was a message of praise. We don’t know if the angels were singing here, but they were full of joy. Their message spilled joy into a world that desperately needed it. Their message caused joy to erupt in the hearts of the shepherds. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” – Luke 2:20 This was a message that brought excitement, and incited action. Joy to the world!

Fourth, we see an angel deliver a message of protection. This message was delivered both to the wisemen and to Joseph. It was a message that was meant to keep them from harm. “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” – Matthew 2:12-13

So, throughout the Christmas story we see angels delivering messages and instructions. These are incredible messages of God's incredible power, messages of reassurance that highlight God's faithfulness, messages of joy and excitement, and messages of God's deliverance and protection. The angels help to show us who God is and why Christmas is so wonderful. So take a minute to listen to the angels’ message and rejoice in the God who they proclaim about.

Merry Christmas!