// The role of the angels in the Christmas story // Luke 2 recounts Jesus’ birth and we once again see the presence of angels in the Bible. While the Angel Gabriel isn’t mentioned by name, we see “an angel of the Lord” appear to shepherds who are keeping watch over their flocks. And that angel has a message in Luke 2:10-12 (NIV):
“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.”
But here’s where things get really interesting: an entire host of “Christmas angels” emerges alongside the first angel of the nativity. This Christmas host of angels begin praising God over Christ’s birth. Names of the angels in the Bible story aren’t given, but the power and purpose of their presence is clear.
After the angels praised God, they left the shepherds and went back to heaven, and the shepherds then went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.
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.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. - Luke 2:15-20 (NIV)
Written by Billy Hallowell
Pic: My Christmas tree decoration
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