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Angels and the Christmas Story

Atop many families’ Christmas trees, you will find an angel. Store shelves offer them, right next to statues of Santa Claus. Angels bring a heavenly theme to the spirit of Christmas, but what role do they play in salvation’s story, especially Christmas?

In the Bible, when angels appear, the story of salvation takes a mighty step forward; that story being Jesus Christ who came to Earth as a baby, born in a manger, raised by a carpenter and his wife, and died on a wooden cross, to rise again Easter morning. Our faith in Jesus’ saving work finds us forgiven by God and assured of eternal life with Him.

What is an angel? A messenger of God, whom God sends to declare what God has done, or will do. Angels tell us what might otherwise go unnoticed or misunderstood.

An angel appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to inform her that she found favor with God, and would give birth to a son, and that she was to give him the name Jesus, who will be called the Son of God. God coming to man, and to be born of a virgin named Mary. This certainly needed an angel’s explanation, lest we miss the source of the child’s divine birth. And here, God’s plan for our salvation takes a mighty step forward.

The same angel appeared to Mary’s betrothed Joseph, who certainly did not understand, and was conflicted. Because he truly loved the girl, rather than put her to public shame for her indiscretion, he decided to divorce Mary quietly. But the angel appeared to Joseph and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for what was conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit. Here the angel cleared up what was misunderstood, as again, salvation takes a mighty step forward.

On the first Christmas night, as Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, angels again brought the message to shepherds, “Good news of great joy that will be for all the people… a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11. Angels point out that which might go unnoticed: Jesus’ arrival on Earth, not to judge the world, but to save the world from sins through Him. This is truly the story of salvation taking a mighty step forward, and the true meaning of our Christmas celebration, to remember His coming, God’s gift to mankind, in a marvelous and miraculous way. And we can thank angels for being God’s messengers.

The angels were not yet done. On the first Easter morning, as Jesus rose from the dead, although He had predicted for His followers this would happen, they did not understand. Yet everything about the Christian faith hinges on the resurrection being true. Without it, we are still in our sins, Jesus would not have been true God, and we would have no hope.

Again, angels helped bring God’s message to us, as two angels appeared to ask, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:5-6.

Jesus’ resurrection defeated death for us all, and assured the faithful of eternal life in Him. Salvation’s story can take no mightier a step forward than the resurrection, and angels tell the story!

Merry Christmas from our churches: St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fredonia (672-6731), Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gowanda (532-4342), and Trinity Lutheran Church in Silver Creek (934-2002).

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