Amazed Angels

Every Christmas a lot of angels show up. It’s not that they aren’t around the rest of the year, but in the Christmas season they make their appearance on the top of Christmas trees, in store windows, on the roofs of houses, in television shows , in movies (remember Clarence in “It’s a Wonderful Life?”), and in countless nativity scenes. The recently released movie, “The Nativity Story,” reminds us of the key role angels played in the birth of Jesus Christ. Angels as God’s messengers make frequent appearances in the Bible and undoubtedly are running errands throughout the invisible world. I have never sighted an angel that I know of. But I know they must be there. The prophet Elisha and his aide-de-camp were surrounded in the city of Dothan by an angry Syrian army. Reassurance of God’s protection was given lest knee-knocking fear take over. The eyes of the attendant were opened and he saw the mountain “full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.” This threw an entirely different light on everything. This episode is in the Bible for our benefit as a vivid reminder that things are never as they may seem. Angels are a part of the Lord of host’s army to accomplish His purposes in the grand drama of redemption.

Of special interest at the Christmas season is the angelic activity in the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias while he was carrying out his priestly duties in the temple of Jerusalem (Lk. 1:11). The angel told him that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son. He was to be no ordinary son. His name was to be John (a.k.a. John the Baptist) who would be the prophetic forerunner of Israel’s Messiah. This angel later identifies himself as Gabriel. This was the same Gabriel who appeared to Daniel to communicate vital truth regarding God’s plan for the nation of Israel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21). Later Gabriel was sent to the city of Nazareth to visit a young Jewish girl named Mary. No greater message was ever delivered to a human being than was given to her. This teenage girl was to be the mother of Israel’s Messiah and the world’s Savior (Lk. 1:32, 33). Mary doesn’t seem to flinch (“be it done to me according to your word”) in the face of the stupendous fact that she would become pregnant without a sexual relationship with a man and give birth to the Christ-child. Joseph, who was to be married to Mary, also receives an angelic visitor (Matt. 1:20-23). The angel gave Joseph a much-needed explanation of Mary’s pregnancy and confirms this astounding development by quoting Isaiah 7:14 (Angels know Scripture). Joseph didn’t hesitate to do what God had commanded. Both parents of Jesus demonstrated the admirable quality of readiness to obey God.

We meet angels again once Jesus has been born. The now famous “shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night” were frightened when an angel suddenly stood before them and encouraged them to be calm. They were told that “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” had been born and He could be found in Bethlehem. At that moment a sound and light show of an army of angels appeared in the night sky singing praise to God for His marvelous provision. This angelic choir is noteworthy for several reasons. These very angels had experienced the joyous presence of Christ’s glory from the time of their creation (Isa. 6:1-4; Jn. 12:41; 17:5). The incarnation of the Son of God with its promise of hope for lost sinners was something to sing about. What is to be done about man’s fall and the infinite chasm between sinful man and a holy God? Angels are fascinated as they see the wisdom of God displayed on the stage of human history (Eph. 3:10; 1 Tim. 3:16). The apostle Peter tells us that God’s angels are captivated by the wonder of seeing totally depraved human beings who can be made to live lives that glorify God (1 Pet. 1:12). It causes angels to break out in exuberant delight when one sinner repents (Lk. 15:10).

The angels that joined in a celestial chorus of adoration in the night sky outside of Bethlehem said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” This was an appeal to all creation to praise God and celebrate the peace brought to earth in the gift bound up in the infant born to Mary. Reconciliation between God and man is possible to all those who experience God’s favor (Rom. 5:1). How could the angels not have been overwhelmed with the magnitude of God’s love and His provision of a Savior? What else could they do but pour out praise?

Angels played an important role in the Christmas event. Their message to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds is about the greatness of God’s Messiah and His kingdom (Lk. 1:32-33). They remind us that there are spiritual beings in the unseen world. Angels are examples to us in their continual worship and obedience to God. They exist to bring glory to God (Psa. 103:20). Angels must certainly be embarrassed at how humans make more of them than they do the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not to worship angels, pray to them, or seek their counsel (Col. 2:18). Instead we are to rejoice in the assignments that God has delegated to them (e.g., bringing answers to prayers, Acts 12:5-7; observing our service and suffering for God, 1 Cor. 4:9; watching over and protecting Christians, Psa. 34:7; 91:11, 12; rejoicing at our salvation, Lk. 15:10; watching the ministry of the local church, 1 Cor. 11:10; 1 Tim. 21; Rev. 1:20; and caring for the believer at death, Lk. 9:22; Jude 9). Angels are absolutely amazed at what God is doing in this world. Are we equally amazed at His grace? Are we ready to do His bidding? Are we joyfully adoring Him?

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church