A Christmas Journey--The Angels, From Heaven to Earth

A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY-THE ANGELS, FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH Spring Valley Mennonite; December 19, 2021; Hebrews 1:14, Luke 2:8-14 How far it is from heaven to earth? How long does such a trip take? I only ask such a question to introduce out travelers this morning, who are the angels. The answer I would give is that it seems from scripture that time or travel is not an issue with angelic visitations. They suddenly appear and disappear, sometimes we are aware of their presence, and more often, they complete their mission and we are delivered from danger or have a prayer answered. It is impossible to read the Biblical Christmas story without noticing the presence of angels. Angels deliver messages to Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist, to Mary and to Joseph, and to shepherds in a field outside Bethlehem. As we continue our theme of Christmas Journeys, angels were busy delivering messages which instructed and informed the main characters in the Christmas account. While these verses which tell of the birth of Christ are rich with angel appearances, angels only occasionally show up in the New Testament Biblical record until we reach the Book of Revelation where angels are agents of judgment. Angels remain an item of popularity. An internet search on "Angel experiences" will produce just under 40 million hits! If you visit any of these "angel sites" you will be disappointed to find that there is very little mention of God or Jesus. The impression from our popular culture is that angels are "safe" to believe in, because they always seem to always do good things for people and demand little. Now, I don't want to give the impression that all stories we hear of angel encounters are untrue, for Scripture gives numerous instances where angels did appear to people, to instruct, comfort or protect. Hebrews 1:14: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? The Christmas story would not be complete without the angel messengers. However, we need to be aware that we have an enemy Satan who has the name of "the deceiver". He will do anything to divert our attention away from the truth, even giving false experiences of angels. Note that 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns that, "...even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light". Much of the contemporary information about angels in our popular culture is, at best, distracting from the truth, and at worst, false and toxic. With that warning, let's move forward on a positive note; Angels did play a big part in the preparations for and announcing the birth of our Savior. I would like to begin with some facts concerning angels as background to the activities of angels surrounding the incarnation. I. A QUICK PRIMER ON ANGELS First, angels are created beings, and their creation preceded that of we humans. In Job 38:4, God asks Job, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth...when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" The angels joined in praising God when the earth was created. We are not told exactly when the angels were created. Secondly, and this is very important, for this contradicts what many people believe: we do not become angels when we die, or children who die do not become "little angels". Humans always stay human and angels always remain as angels. Although Scripture tells us that the number of angels neither increase or decrease, Angels are very numerous. Hebrews 12:22, as well as numerous other places uses the word "myriads" to describe the number of angels, "myriads" being defined as "a number beyond human comprehension". Deuteronomy speaks of the Law being given among ten thousand holy ones. When arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told his disciples to "stand down"; if He wished, He could call twelve legions of angels to assist. "Twelve legions" could have amounted to as many as 60-80 Thousand angels! But also, consider that the number 12 in the Bible signifies completeness, so Jesus could have been referring to the whole contingent of angels-every one in existence-would come to His aid if He would call them (which makes sense). Angels are individual beings. They have the capacity to think, to feel, so they can experience joy. Luke 15:10 tells us that "there is joy in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents". Angels question and wonder, and desire to understand the things of Jesus Christ. Peter says the events of the death and resurrection are "things the angels desire to look into". Angels are curious about God's program of salvation for humans. Angels exist to praise and glorify God, and to serve His purposes. They carry out His will on earth. Angels surround the throne of God, continually crying out "holy, holy, holy". Angels also had the capacity to choose whether to obey or not (like humans), and were created in a state of "untested holiness". Lucifer was the highest of the Angels, called in Ezekiel 28:14 "The Anointed Cherub". He apparently held the highest exalted position among angels until sin was found in his heart. He willed to disobey and dishonor God. We know this fallen angel as Satan. A vast number of angels followed him in rebellion; these became the evil angels or demons. But unlike humans, fallen angels are never given the chance to repent. Perhaps this is why angels are curious about God's program of redemption for humans. Angels are invisible until God chooses to reveal them for a particular purpose. They are invisible because they belong in the spiritual world. They, like God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and even Satan are usually hidden from our view. This does not make them less real! When angels do appear, they may appear magnificently glorious (like they did to the shepherds) or as ordinary men (as they did to Abraham). They always appear as men; there is never a depiction of a feminine angel (contrary, as I think of it, of most human artistic renderings of angels. Aren't most figurines of angels feminine?) But let me add that Scripture also tells us that angels neither marry or are given in marriage. Angels may be without gender at all! Their representation as masculine may be an accommodation to humans to avoid confusion. We would not know what to do with a being who appears in human form if they were without gender. They all appear male in their appearances. More important to our present study is the purpose and ministry of angels. Again, consider Hebrews 1:14: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation?" The word "angel" means "messenger". Angels are God's messengers and servants. They are sent on missions and they do things for people- "ministering to them" --as God gives them instruction. They appear in the Bible primarily in conjunction with a particular mission on which they have been sent. By this passage in Hebrews 1:14, we are to understand that holy angels are involved in our lives, perhaps on a daily basis. The concept of "guardian angels" comes from Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven." Yet, we must remember that angels do what GOD tells them; we have no control over them. Nowhere are we told to try and communicate with, pray to, or try to control angels. One of the websites I visited advocated calling on our "angel guides" for help or guidance. This is unbiblical, unprofitable and likely certainly inspired by Satan. Such "angel guides" would most likely be demons. As I study what the Bible says about angels, I find many reasons to believe that angels are involved in our daily lives. But our focus and thanksgiving should be to the Father, whatever means He might use to minister to us. Although humans never become angels, and angels do not become humans, angels can appear in human form, and so believers are instructed in Hebrews 13:2, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for there by some have entertained angels unawares." That stranger we help or who helps us just might be an angel! With this background, I would turn the direction of this message to what we may learn from the angels that first Christmastime. II. MESSENGERS THAT FIRST CHRISTMASTIME God needed to clearly communicate His plan for the Incarnation of His Son. He did so through the agency of Angels. God's first Christmas message went to a priest named Zacharias. To Zacharias: The Angle Gabriel appeared to Zacharias announcing the coming birth of John the Baptist, as recorded in Luke chapter 1. John was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. In the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, while still in the womb, John testified of the presence of Messiah Jesus! This was a confirming affirmation to Mary that the tiny baby growing in her was the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit's "overshadowing" had created a child. As I begin to list these appearances of the angels that first Christmas, let me make a very important observation. What is significant and important in these appearances is not so much the angels-the messengers-but the MESSAGE DELIVERED. When the FedEx or UPS man brings a package, do we get all excited about the delivery man-or the package? Without the package, the man loses all significance. One of the tendencies of humans is to attach too much importance to that which inspires awe in us. Angels can certainly do inspire awe when they appear in their unveiled and reflected glory, for they have been in the presence of God. We must remember that angels are only messengers-the message or service they render is the issue of importance. Perhaps that is why angels for the most part remain hidden in their ministry to us, working invisibly behind the scenes. Perhaps we would get so caught up in another "angel sighting" that we would fail to praise God for protection or in meeting our need. The second person to which a Christmas angel appeared is Mary. Allow me to again point out that the content of the message is the focus, not Gabriel. To both Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and to Mary, Gabriel's first words were "Do not be afraid". Even though Gabriel's appearance was fearsome and awe-inspiring, he did not wish for his appearance to muddle the message. What was his message to Mary? He communicated God's favor and blessing, and that Mary was to be the mother of the promised Messiah. Mary was indeed a very special person. We may learn much about obedience and service from studying this young Jewish girl. Please note that the Bible seldom records the appearance of angels to give messages or help to ungodly people. For the ungodly, Angels are primarily ministers of God's judgment. An angel barred the entrance to the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. It was an angel who brought death in Egypt during the 10th plague. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, besieged Jerusalem and mocked the God of Israel. As King Hezekiah prayed, an angel visited the camp of the Assyrians and killed 185,000 enemy warriors. In the book of Revelation angels fulfill this roll, bringing judgment and destruction to the ungodly. So, might we conclude that "angel sightings" which non-believers experience are not from holy angels? That is a distinct possibility, for such an experience might lead that person into a false sense of spiritual welfare. Satan always has a counterfeit for the genuine. A third Christmas angel encounter came: To Joseph: It is in the book of Matthew that we read of the angel giving messages to Joseph. It is interesting to note that the angel always spoke to Joseph in a dream. The messages to Joseph always regarded something about the protection of Jesus' life. The first visit, recorded in Matthew 1, assured Joseph's protective presence as the husband of Mary. The second message to Joseph is seen in Matthew 2:13: "Now when they had departed (speaking of the Magi), behold an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him'". Joseph immediately arose from sleep, and left Bethlehem in the middle of the night for Egypt. After some time, Joseph had another dream (2:19), and he was given permission to return to Israel. They returned to the southern area of Judah, but the angel again warned Joseph not to settle there. The holy family then returned to Nazareth, fulfilling the prophesy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. Nazareth was a most unlikely place for the Messiah to grow up, from a human perspective. Today we would say, "It was on the wrong side of the tracks!" The last appearance of Christmas angels is that which we usually think of first, the announcement to the shepherds. III. A BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT FIT FOR A KING! When a baby is expected, there is a great amount of preparation to be made, especially if the expected child is the first baby. There are all the baby showers, the laying in of supplies and baby furniture, the decoration of the nursery, the phone calls inquiring of the progress of the pregnancy. One thing most commonly done after a baby is born do is to send out birth announcements. Now I realize that a birth in Israel 2000 years ago was much different, but I can't believe that even then that there were no special preparations for the birth of a child, especially a firstborn child. But with Mary and Joseph, they were most likely without any family or friends around. No one to spread the glad tidings to friends and neighbors, no one to share the joy of the birth, no way to announce the birth... But God did not let the birth of His Son go unannounced. He prepared a birth announcement fit for the Son of God! In the fields and hills surrounding Bethlehem there were shepherds tending their flocks. On that holy night of Jesus' birth, all was still and quiet. It was like so many other nights, but suddenly, the darkness was turned to light-in a blaze of God's glory, an angel appeared to the shepherds. A birth announcement was made-in a most unique and magnificent manner. This was the most joyous news ever announced to mankind! The message had several parts: * This is good news of great Joy! * Your Savior has been born today in David's city of Bethlehem * This good news is for all people (including shepherds!) * The promises given through the prophets have been fulfilled! * Salvation has come to mankind! * The Messiah-Christ the Lord has been born! What a message! Suddenly the sky was filled with a multitude of Angels, all praising God with the words, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!" That first Christmas is the time when the Prince of Peace was born. But please notice that the peace was not to all men, but is given to those with whom God is pleased. What pleases God? Our simple belief and faith that what God has done for us is true. This is the Gospel message that God the Son became man, was born of the Virgin Mary, lived and identified with our struggles, yet without sin, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again the third day. He ascended into heaven and will return in glory. This Gospel of Good News is for all men, but peace comes only to those who accept the free gift of salvation. In one sense Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill among all men, but such peace and goodwill is brief and fleeting unless a man, woman boy or girl have asked Jesus into their hearts. The angels brought the greatest message ever delivered. It caused great joy to those who heard it. The shepherds received the message and acted upon it. May we do likewise and come to Jesus and worship Him. May we go and tell others as did the shepherds. Angels are the messengers of God. They operate among us today, but the praise and glory is always to go to God. That was their message to the shepherds and to all mankind: Give glory to God in Heaven! A Savior for everyone has been born! Peace with God is available to those who believe! 6