The Big Question with Cynthia Simmons

with cynthia l. simmons WWW.CLSIMMONS.COM

Q: I noticed the Christmas story includes angels. What are angels and what do they do?

Q: I noticed the Christmas story includes angels. What are angels and what do they do?EXCELLENT QUESTION. ANGELS PARTICIPATED IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE BEGINNING.

In the Gospel of Luke, God sent an angel to inform Zachariah that his elderly wife would bear a child, John the Baptist, who would prepare the nation for the coming of the Lord. Six months later, Gabriel informed the Virgin Mary she would also give birth to a son, who “…will be called the Son of the Most High.” We can learn several things here.

First, angels serve as God’s messengers. The word ‘angel’ means ‘messenger’ in both the Old and New Testaments. Gabriel told Zachariah and Mary the future and predicted events that required God’s power. Further, the predictions came true.

Second, both Zechariah and Mary experienced fear when the angel suddenly appeared. Daniel reacted the same way. Note his description: “[the angel] was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning,

his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.” In each case, the angel said not to be afraid, but seeing supernatural beings would unsettle me too.

Third, angels have power. When Zechariah questioned how his aged wife could bear a child, the angel struck him dumb because he didn’t believe. An angel gave Balaam’s donkey the ability to talk. Angels also announce or inflict judgment like those who went to Sodom and Gomorrah. In Acts 12:23 an angel struck King Herod because he didn’t glorify God, and Herod died. When Peter sat in prison, an angel released his chains and let him walk right past the guards.

Other passages fill in the gaps. Scripture mentions angels 265 times and reveals God created them holy with a higher rank than man. We know they live in the spiritual realm, and a third of the angels chose to disobey God. Those who fell now roam the earth as demons. Angels don’t marry, and they are “… ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

And after Mary gave birth to Jesus, one angel appeared to lowly shepherds. Luke records “The glory of the Lord shone round about them.” That must have been amazing! The angel gave his good news about the birth of the Savior and then a huge crowd filled the sky, “… praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men…’” Imagine what a dazzling celebration!

In conclusion, God overruled the laws of nature and invaded earth because He had a glorious message. He dispatched thousands of angels to sing. That never happened before. Fabulous news! Jesus came to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. LH