There is quite a cast of characters in the Christmas story. The baby Jesus, although he never says a word, is always center stage while the cast of characters enter, play their role, and exit just as quickly as they entered. Each character adds something to the story. Each one teaches us an important lesson. The Angels, of course, are perhaps the most famous and enigmatic characters in the story. What do they teach us?
The Role of the Angels
The word angel means “messenger.” All we really know about these characters is that they bring a message. In the Old Testament, the “angels” sometimes appear in human form, sometimes as the winged creatures of our imaginations.
What they look like is not usually the point of the story, rather the fact that they appeared at all, and most importantly, the message they bring. True to their name, the critical thing to understand about angels is not their appearance, but their message. And the fact that their message always comes from God.
The Angels of Christmas
There are four appearances of angels in the Christmas story – quite a flurry of supernatural messengers, even for the Bible! What was the message they brought, and what does it mean for us today?
1. Do not be afraid.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid …” (Luke 2:10).
This is a phrase that the angels use in every single appearance – to Zechariah (Luke 1:13), Mary (Luke 1:30), Joseph (Matt. 1:20), and the shepherds (Luke 2:10). Obviously, something about the angels’ appearance was startling, but even more than that – the message had a frightening side to it.
God was doing something new – different – controversial – supernatural. The thought of this can be quite frightening.
God doesn’t want us going through life living in fear. Whatever God wants to do in the world, we can rest assured he is for us, not against us – and if he is for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)?
God says that his perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). When you rest in his love and grace, you will no longer need to live in fear.
2. Nothing is impossible with God.
How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34).
There was certainly a thread of incredulity throughout the Christmas story. Zechariah had a hard time believing that his wife, Elizabeth, way past her child-bearing years, was going to have a baby. “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years” (Luke 1:18). It didn’t seem possible.
Mary was confused as to how she could possibly be pregnant since she was a virgin (Luke 1:34). It didn’t seem possible.
The message was sent, loud and clear, nothing is impossible with God.
God was making a promise to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds – and through them, to the world. And as the angel said, “… no word from God will ever fail” (Luke 1:37).
3. Do the hard thing.
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife” (Matt. 1:24).
Joseph was in a no-win situation. Mary was pregnant. He knew the child was not his. He had little choice but to divorce her (according to the Law). He was trying to do the right thing. That’s when the angel came to him and asked him to do something that went against every natural instinct.
We are told that Joseph was “faithful to the law” (Matt. 1:19). Obeying God’s Law was what he lived for – it was his natural instinct. The Law was clear – he must divorce Mary. The fact that he was going to do it “quietly” so as to avoid publicly shaming her speaks to his character.
The angel asked Joseph to do the hard thing – take responsibility for the child and say nothing to anyone about the truth.
It’s telling that Joseph is the silent man of Christmas – the only Christmas character who never speaks. He simply and quietly obeys God (Matt. 1:24). No matter how much that obedience costs us.
Apparently, Jesus learned from his earthly father, how to obey God, no matter the cost (Mark 1:36).
4. God brings joy and peace to the world.
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’” (Luke 2:10-11).
The shepherds were one of the lowliest professions in first-century Palestinian life. Yet, the first announcement of “Good News” came to the shepherds.
A sign to us that the Savior has truly come to save all of us.
If you are going to find any lasting joy, peace, or love in life it will come from knowing this Savior who was born in Bethlehem – He is Messiah (Savior) – He is Lord!
