We hear that phrase over and over again in the Christmas story—whenever there’s an angel around. And the angels were very busy! Do you ever wonder what those heavenly beings looked like? Their appearance must have been something spectacular, because every time they showed up, it caused a good bit of fear! For instance, Luke’s account of the Christmas story tells of three such occasions where angels were sent to deliver a message from God. In all three encounters, the message begins with... “Do not be afraid”.
The angel Gabriel appeared to a priest named Zacharias while he was performing his priestly duty—alone, in the temple. It must have been very startling, because Zacharias was “troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him.” But Gabriel told him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias.” Gabriel told him that God had heard his prayers, and now, after many years of waiting, he and his wife Elizabeth were going to have a son—a very special son. Zacharias became the father of John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way—for Jesus.
Several months later, Gabriel had another message to deliver—this time to a young woman named Mary. Mary was at home in Nazareth when Gabriel appeared to her. As he came in, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Wow! That sounds like good news. But Mary “was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be.” Evidently, it was all pretty overwhelming. Gabriel reassured her, “Do not be afraid, Mary.” He told her that she had found favor with God. This very young woman had proven herself to be someone who loved God, and who would obey Him. So He chose her to play a critical role in His plan to fix the problem of sin for all of mankind. She would be the earthly mother—of Jesus.
After His birth, there was another angelic message—this time to a group of shepherds. It was nighttime, and they were out in the fields, tending to their sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood before them, “and the glory of the Lord shone around them”. Now that had to be awesome! Evidently it was, because “they were terribly frightened.” Listen closely to the angel’s message, because it was not just for the shepherds—it is for us, as well. He said,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which shall be for all the people;
for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.”
This was the greatest news ever told! On that day, there was born for you and for me—a Savior. Jesus, God the Son, who began His earthly life in a manger, finished His work—on the cross. He came to pay the price for our sins, because He loves us, and He knew we couldn’t pay it ourselves. He’s in heaven now, preparing a place for those who accept His gift of eternal life. It is the best Christmas gift—ever!
Zacharias, Mary, and the shepherds—they were all living their normal, day-to-day lives, one day pretty much the same as the next—and then suddenly they came face to face with something totally unexpected, startling, and more than a little frightening. And that still happens today. It may not be an angelic visit, but every once in a while we all face circumstances that jolt us out of our comfort zones. It happened to me just a few years ago. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease was totally unexpected, startling, and more than a little frightening. But I am thrilled to say that God is the same today as He was 2,000 years ago. He still hears and answers prayers, He still bestows His favor on those who love Him, He still offers salvation through the Savior whose birth we celebrate— and He still sends messages! He gave me one soon after the diagnosis, when I was a good bit frightened. He didn’t send it through an angel, but through His Word and His Spirit, He spoke it directly into my heart. It was as if my name was printed right there on the page, and He said, “Janet—
Do not be afraid,
for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Christmas is not just what happened 2,000 years ago—Christmas is right here and now, day in and day out. Christmas is God with us—always.
Out in those fields, after the angel’s message was delivered, the shepherds got an extra treat. “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” A “multitude” of the heavenly host! I wonder how many angels are in a “multitude”. Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen it? I guess we’ll see that and much more once we get to heaven.
Angels—they are experts at worship. They’ve been praising Him for a long time. This year, as the real meaning of Christmas sinks deep into my heart... I find myself joining them.
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth.
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Come, and worship,
Come, and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King!
Merry Christmas!
The angel Gabriel appeared to a priest named Zacharias while he was performing his priestly duty—alone, in the temple. It must have been very startling, because Zacharias was “troubled when he saw him, and fear gripped him.” But Gabriel told him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias.” Gabriel told him that God had heard his prayers, and now, after many years of waiting, he and his wife Elizabeth were going to have a son—a very special son. Zacharias became the father of John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way—for Jesus.
Several months later, Gabriel had another message to deliver—this time to a young woman named Mary. Mary was at home in Nazareth when Gabriel appeared to her. As he came in, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Wow! That sounds like good news. But Mary “was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be.” Evidently, it was all pretty overwhelming. Gabriel reassured her, “Do not be afraid, Mary.” He told her that she had found favor with God. This very young woman had proven herself to be someone who loved God, and who would obey Him. So He chose her to play a critical role in His plan to fix the problem of sin for all of mankind. She would be the earthly mother—of Jesus.
After His birth, there was another angelic message—this time to a group of shepherds. It was nighttime, and they were out in the fields, tending to their sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord stood before them, “and the glory of the Lord shone around them”. Now that had to be awesome! Evidently it was, because “they were terribly frightened.” Listen closely to the angel’s message, because it was not just for the shepherds—it is for us, as well. He said,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which shall be for all the people;
for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.”
This was the greatest news ever told! On that day, there was born for you and for me—a Savior. Jesus, God the Son, who began His earthly life in a manger, finished His work—on the cross. He came to pay the price for our sins, because He loves us, and He knew we couldn’t pay it ourselves. He’s in heaven now, preparing a place for those who accept His gift of eternal life. It is the best Christmas gift—ever!
Zacharias, Mary, and the shepherds—they were all living their normal, day-to-day lives, one day pretty much the same as the next—and then suddenly they came face to face with something totally unexpected, startling, and more than a little frightening. And that still happens today. It may not be an angelic visit, but every once in a while we all face circumstances that jolt us out of our comfort zones. It happened to me just a few years ago. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease was totally unexpected, startling, and more than a little frightening. But I am thrilled to say that God is the same today as He was 2,000 years ago. He still hears and answers prayers, He still bestows His favor on those who love Him, He still offers salvation through the Savior whose birth we celebrate— and He still sends messages! He gave me one soon after the diagnosis, when I was a good bit frightened. He didn’t send it through an angel, but through His Word and His Spirit, He spoke it directly into my heart. It was as if my name was printed right there on the page, and He said, “Janet—
Do not be afraid,
for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Christmas is not just what happened 2,000 years ago—Christmas is right here and now, day in and day out. Christmas is God with us—always.
Out in those fields, after the angel’s message was delivered, the shepherds got an extra treat. “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’” A “multitude” of the heavenly host! I wonder how many angels are in a “multitude”. Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen it? I guess we’ll see that and much more once we get to heaven.
Angels—they are experts at worship. They’ve been praising Him for a long time. This year, as the real meaning of Christmas sinks deep into my heart... I find myself joining them.
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth.
Ye who sang creation’s story,
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Come, and worship,
Come, and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn King!
Merry Christmas!
