Characters of the Nativity - A Deeper Dive

The Angels

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

message recap

This week, we begin a four-week Advent series, Characters of the Nativity. In this series, we’ll look at some of the characters in the Christmas story. We start with the angels and will follow with some of the unsung heroes as well as the main characters, Joseph and Mary. We’ll close the series with our Christmas Eve message about Jesus.

Angels are not unique to this particular story. They appear throughout scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments. Angels are spiritual beings created by God to do his work and share his messages. The Greek word for angel is angelos (άγγελος), which literally means messenger.

We find references to angels at the beginning of scripture in the Book of Genesis. They appear to Lot, Jacob, and Moses, and there are references to angels in the Psalms. In the New Testament, angels attend to Jesus after his 40 days and nights in the desert. Peter is released from jail by an angel, and the Gospel of Matthew says Jesus will be accompanied by angels when he returns.

When we think of the physical characteristics of angels, we likely think of the ornaments we use for Christmas. We think of the “cherub-cheeked” angels that hang on our trees, looking friendly and sweet. Or, perhaps, we think of the angels with human-like features we see in Christmas displays. The Bible tells us that angels can look quite different than we imagine. Cheribum, for instance, are described in the Book of Ezekiel as having four faces. Seraphim are described as having six wings, two covering their eyes because they cannot look upon God’s holiness. Regardless of the physical characteristics of angels, they are a reminder of how powerful and awe-inspiring our God truly is.

Nearly every time an angel appears in the Bible, their first words are “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” When we read about instances where people encounter angels, we find that the physical appearance or the sheer magnitude of an angel’s presence can frighten people. In some cases, angels are depicted as warriors, carrying swords and engaging in battle in the heavenly realms.

But angels are holy creations. They have never sinned, so they worship before God’s throne day and night. They have had the privilege of witnessing God’s work and delivering God’s messages. They are critical to God’s plan, and those in the Christmas story play crucial roles.

The first angel we encounter in the Christmas story is Gabriel, who appears before Mary. Gabriel is one of only two angels referenced in the Bible by name. The other is Michael. Both are archangels, which in Greek means “chief angel.” Gabriel greets Mary as highly favored by God. Mary is troubled by the angel’s presence and this message, but Gabriel says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”

Gabriel must have been convincing as he described her son as the long-awaited Messiah. Mary must have found peace in Gabriel’s words because, by the end of the encounter with Gabriel, Mary responds, “I am the Lord’s servant…. May your word to me be fulfilled.” It was a short encounter, but this exchange between Gabriel and Mary is truly remarkable and deserves its place as one of the most remembered details of the birth narrative of Jesus.

The second appearance of an angel in the Christmas story isn’t found in Luke’s narrative. While it’s true that we typically rely on the Gospel of Luke for the Christmas story, there is an important encounter found in Matthew’s Gospel.

Joseph was a righteous Jewish man to whom Mary was pledged to be married. He understood and followed the Law of Moses. But he was also compassionate. So when he discovers that Mary is pregnant, he decides to quietly divorce her so she would be spared the public humiliation that is sure to come.

But, even though he had decided what he was going to do, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream to intervene. Many biblical scholars agree that the angel was Gabriel, although he is not explicitly named. He says, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife…” In this case, the angel isn’t addressing the fact that Joseph is startled. He is giving Joseph peace of mind to take Mary as his wife because, as scandalous as the situation might seem, this is all part of God’s plan. Again, the reassuring words of the angel of the Lord must have worked because, as we all know, Joseph obeyed and took Mary to be his wife and the earthly father of Jesus.

When we think of the Christmas story, the image of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds is probably top of mind. The interaction begins with one angel of the Lord, but Luke says that “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” Was this God himself? Luke says that the shepherds were “terrified” at the sight. The angel reassures the shepherds, saying, “Do not be afraid,” the messiah is born. Then, as if to add emphasis, “a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel.” Some translations use “multitude” to describe the number of angels who appear. Luke describes thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands, of angels appearing before the shepherds, praising God.

While there is relatively little known about Gabriel and the rest of the angels, what is known is fairly remarkable. Seeing how involved God’s heavenly creatures have been and are with humanity should be comforting and encouraging.

This week, we light the Advent candle of peace, so it makes sense that we’ve considered the angels of the Christmas story. Despite their often sudden and somewhat unsettling entrances, Gabriel and the angels that appeared to the shepherds brought peace and messages of hope and salvation. They remind us that God is intimately involved in our lives, offering us the gift of eternal life through Christ.

“Fear not” was their common refrain. To Mary, Gabriel offered assurance that his appearance resulted from Mary finding favor with God. For Joseph, Gabriel provides peace of mind that taking Mary as his wife is integral to God’s plan. To the shepherds who were so frightened, the angel of the Lord provided comfort by saying, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

The first proclamation of Christmas came from heaven to earth through the voices of angels speaking to the shepherds. The peace the angels proclaimed was not a declaration of world peace or an end to war and strife. It wasn’t a direct announcement that we would all miraculously get along with our neighbors. The peace on earth Jesus brings is the peace that we can have with God through Christ. This peace comes from faith in Jesus and the forgiveness that follows.

First and foremost, during this Advent season - the time of preparation to receive the Christ child - we need to accept and embrace the peace we have in God. In the angels’ proclamation, we find out that we can’t earn this peace with God - it is freely available to us by the grace of God. We didn’t reach our Savior by going up to him; rather, in Luke 2:11, the angel says, “A Savior has been born to you.”

As we spend time during this Advent season preparing, contemplating, and meditating on what the arrival of Jesus means to this broken world, let us find ways to be peacemakers. Peacekeeping tries to appease, patch together, and keep everyone satisfied or quietly disgruntled. Peacemaking happens through healing and restoration. And Jesus is a peacemaker.

Peacemaking

At the end of this week’s message, we mentioned the idea of peacemaking versus peacekeeping, but we didn’t have the opportunity to delve into the topic. In a world filled with division and dispute, the Advent theme of peace can sound a bit hollow. We seem to thrive in conflict. But as Christians, we are encouraged, if not commanded, to find ways to bring peace to the world. That said, it’s important to remember that merely keeping the peace is not the answer.

In the Beatitudes found in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV) So, what is the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking? Perhaps the most significant difference has to do with intent. Simply keeping the peace is a passive endeavor. It’s an attempt to do everything possible to avoid conflict. We avoid discussing topics that might divide. We look for ways to appease rather than find solutions.

On the other hand, peacemaking requires action. We have to dig into the source of conflict and root it out. Peacemaking is hard work because it requires complete honesty and a willingness to consider other points of view. True restoration does not happen through peacekeepers minimizing conflict to keep everyone happy. Complete restoration comes through peacemaking, which is willing to forgo temporary happiness to ensure that humanity is healthy.

During this Advent season, as we prepare for the birth of our Savior, let’s find ways to make peace in the world. Let us share the redemptive power of Christ in hopes that we can all be restored and renewed by his love and grace.