Whose Christmas angel can you be?
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.“ (Matthew 5:16).
“While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem (far from home) the time came for the baby Jesus to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 6, 7
Have you ever been far from home at Christmas?
Our third child was born in Nairobi, Kenya, on December 14. We named her Elizabeth Anne. I liked the name Elizabeth meaning consecrated to God. My husband added Anne saying, “Her initials will stand for East Africa.”
Nairobi hospital was a very modern hospital and we received excellent care. A week later, my husband picked me up and took me to our home on the mountains. It was strangely quiet. All the missionaries had gone away to celebrate Christmas with their friends. We were on our own.
Christmas day arrived and our little family gathered in the living room. While our two small children played with their new toys, I was nursing my baby. I glanced at the sparsely decorated tree. Because we had no electricity, there were no glowing lights. No Christmas carols on the radio. No Christmas program to attend. No noisy turkey dinner with family gathered around a festive table. Suddenly loneliness overwhelmed me. How I missed my family in Canada!
Then I thought of Mary. How must she have felt so far from home with a brand new baby? But then, Mary had angels and shepherds to make Christmas special, I thought. We have nobody.
I think God has a sense of humour, don’t you? For at that very moment there was a sharp knock on the door. There stood Pastor Benson from a near-by church. He must have sensed that we were lonely for he stayed a long time.
I’ve often thought about that Christmas in Kenya. It didn’t have any of the trimmings that we think belong to a perfect Christmas. Yet, it was the most authentic Christmas I’ve ever had. It taught me that God is present wherever we are and he meets our needs in very practical ways.
Maybe your Christmas will be full of loneliness instead of family gatherings. Perhaps some of you will be celebrating Christmas for the first time without a loved one. Maybe your children are far away and cannot come home for Christmas.
Whose Christmas angel can you be?
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
An Angel at Christmas – A Symbol of Hope and Good News
The Christmas story is full of wonder, joy, and the divine, and one of the most striking elements of the narrative is the presence of angels. These celestial beings appear throughout the Christmas account, bringing messages of hope, peace, and the good news of the Savior’s birth. But what role do they play in the Christmas story, and what do they teach us about the true meaning of Christmas?
1. The Angel’s Announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.’” (Luke 1:30)
The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary marks the first pivotal moment in the Christmas story. He brings the incredible news that Mary will conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the Savior. Gabriel’s words remind us that even in times of uncertainty, God’s plan is unfolding. The angel’s announcement encourages us to trust in God’s purposes, even when they seem impossible.
Lesson from the Angel to Mary:
- Faith and obedience – Mary’s response to the angel’s message was one of submission to God’s will, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:38). The angel reminds us that faith is essential in the unfolding of God’s plans.
2. The Angel’s Message to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife.’” (Matthew 1:20)
Joseph, troubled by Mary’s pregnancy, was visited by an angel in a dream. The angel reassured him that the child Mary was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be named Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins. Joseph’s obedience to the angel’s command shows us the importance of trusting God’s voice, even in moments of confusion and doubt.
Lesson from the Angel to Joseph:
- Trust in God’s guidance – Joseph’s willingness to follow God’s direction, despite his fears, is a model of how we should respond when God calls us into uncertain or difficult situations.
3. The Angel’s Announcement to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-14)
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
In the fields outside Bethlehem, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. The message was clear: this birth was a cause for joy, not fear. The Savior had come for all people, bringing hope and peace to the world. The angel’s appearance to humble shepherds reminds us that the good news of Jesus’ birth is for everyone, no matter their status or station in life.
Lesson from the Angel to the Shepherds:
- Joy and peace are for all – The angel’s message is not just for a select few but for everyone. Christmas is a time to remember that God’s love and peace are available to all who receive Him.
4. The Heavenly Host’s Praise (Luke 2:13-14)
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14)
After the angel’s announcement, a multitude of angels appeared, praising God and declaring peace on earth. The appearance of the heavenly host emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ birth, not just on a human level, but in the heavenly realms as well. The angels’ praise teaches us that Jesus’ birth is a divine event that deserves our worship and gratitude.
Lesson from the Heavenly Host:
- Worship and praise – The angels’ response was one of worship. Christmas is not just about the celebration of a historical event but about offering our hearts in praise and worship to the Savior who came for us.
5. The Angel’s Role in Guiding the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)
“Having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Matthew 2:12)
After the birth of Jesus, the wise men, guided by a star, went to visit the newborn King. But after receiving a warning from an angel in a dream, they chose to return home by another route to avoid King Herod, who had sinister plans. The angel’s guidance in this instance shows how God protects those who seek to honor Him, leading them safely on their journey.
Lesson from the Angel to the Wise Men:
- God’s protection and guidance – Just as the angel guided the wise men, we can trust that God will lead us and protect us as we seek to follow Him.
Conclusion: The Angel’s Message at Christmas
The angels in the Christmas story embody the themes of hope, peace, joy, and divine guidance. Their messages remind us that Christmas is not just a time for celebration but a time to listen to God’s call, trust His plans, and respond in faith and worship.
Key Takeaways:
- God’s plan is always unfolding, even in the most unexpected ways.
- Trust and obedience to God’s guidance bring peace.
- Jesus’ birth is good news for all people, not just a few.
- Worship and praise are fitting responses to the Savior’s arrival.
This Christmas, let us hear the angels’ message anew, knowing that their call to joy and peace still echoes through our hearts today.
