Monday, December 16, 2024

The Christmas Story - The Angels

 


An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “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.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

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.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Luke 2:9-15

Angels are interesting creatures. 

I mean, have you ever seen pictures of biblically accurate angels?  I’ve included some below, and they are unsettling.  You can start to understand why every time they appear to humans, they have to start with “Do not be afraid”.

The images all remind us of a vital fact - angels are not human.  Shocking I know, but far too often in our art, angels are portrayed as glowing humans or winged humans, making them mostly like us, but just a little better.  A little more.

Angels are a completely different class of created beings.  A messenger/warrior class that is elevated a bit above us, as we are described as a little lower than the angels.  Spiritual beings that intermediate between God and man.  

And these angels appear a few times in the Christmas story.  An angel appears to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph to provide announcements of the coming births.  The host appears to the Shepherds announcing the birth has occurred.  And here we see angels do something never before mentioned before humans - they sing.  Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Could you imagine witnessing the darkened night skies be illuminated by a multitude of indescribable looking beings singing likely the most beautiful song you ever heard? 

You would be stunned, right?

But you would also have to go and see.  You would be compelled to go.  

You’ve gone from fear to elation in a manner of minutes.

In the broader story, in that moment, it’s a reminder that God was using all of creation to celebrate the birth of his son.  The stars were joining in with the brightest star you’ve ever seen, standing in place, lighting the way.  The animals were surrounding his son, attending the birth.  Mankind would arrive and share the news.  And even the angels, the higher plain was singing his praise.  

Every creation of God was taking part.  The rocks were crying out indeed.

How can we do less?

How can we hear the story, and not respond?  Not view it for the great gift and celebration that it is?

We’ve hit the joy part of advent and I pray we are participating.  I pray we are lifting our voice and joining the chorus that spreads round the world, “Angels we have heard on high…”

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!



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