Angel | English Devotion | NHFCSG

Angel

"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, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.'" (Matthew 1:20-21)

Angel: 1. A typically benevolent celestial being that acts as an intermediary between heaven and earth.

What really was Gabriel to Mary? What kind of being came with foreknowledge of a supernatural conception and with words that would change her identity forever?

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" How would the shepherds have described the angel with the glory of the Lord shining about, and then "a great company of the heavenly host" whose voices poured out a chorus like a tidal wave: "glory to God in the highest"?

What would Joseph say about his encounter with an angel, or what would Zechariah, John the Baptist's father say?

Joseph was understandably troubled by Mary’s mysterious pregnancy, her future, and what he should do towards her. Though he had decided to put her away secretly, he was not comfortable with that decision.

Calling Joseph as son of David should have alerted Joseph that something was particularly significant about this message. Son of David is a reference to Joseph’s legal lineage to the throne of David.

 In the days leading up to the birth of Jesus supernatural appearances and utterances were occurring like they never had before. Heaven's communication was electric.

The real meaning of "angel" is simply "messenger." And that reminds us that Christmas is about a message. It is gospel--good news. The best news. Powerful spiritual messengers whose very presence struck fear and awe in people (no pudgy winged cherubs here) were paving the way. Their mission and their message transformed human beings. They never left people the way they had been.

Now any of us this year can probably think of a dozen ways we would like to hear a word from a messenger from God--sent just to us. And we do have that message. It is a message best suited to each of us because it was sent to all of us. Jesus will save people from their sins.

The angelic messenger briefly and eloquently stated the work of the coming Messiah, Jesus. He will come as a savior, and come to save His people from their sins.

 

 This description of the work of Jesus reminds us that Jesus meets us in our sin, but His purpose is to save us from our sins. He saves us first from the penalty of sin, then from the power of sin, and finally from the presence of sin.

Prayer for today: Lord, help me to listen to you. May the announcements of angels be like fresh news to my ears.