Advent Devotional Series: Week II

GOD’S WORD
Luke 2:1-12;

DEVOTIONAL BY
Major Barry Corbitt - General Secretary
Georgia Divisional Headquarters

II Advent Devotional Series
The Journey of the Angels

LUKE 2:10-12
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.”

As surprising as it sounds, we don’t have a lot of information regarding Angels. Of course, as with most things theological, we like to think we have all the answers. But trust me, it’s ok not to have the comprehensive data when it comes to understanding our transcendent God. The word transcendent is the essential key to this rambling discussion. Why would we have any desire to worship a God who wasn’t “wholly other” than what we are? If God was like us, limited, sinful, prone to failure, imperfect in many ways, what would be the point of worshiping such a deity? We might as well hand the keys to universal order over to anyone who chooses to take on the challenge. So, let’s just be content to “gaze through a glass darkly,” until such time as we meet Jesus face to face. Then we will know, even as we are fully known.

And so, getting back to the point, angels are mysterious. How much do we really know and how do we separate fact from lore? Obviously, we find the truth as noted in Scripture alone. All other sources of angelic information are speculative at best. Of course, our perceptions are mostly driven by western tradition, at least in the context of Christmas. Angel replicas of every kind adorn the trees and hearths of our homes, each with its own flair and design, meant to give us true insight as to the appearance of these heavenly residents. But we really don’t know, do we?  

Was their journey far? I imagine it was considering the infinite nature of the universe. They traveled from their residence in Heaven, wherever Heaven may be, and we can assume the distance was immeasurable, incomprehensible even to the human intellect. Theirs was a flight across the vast reaches of the cosmic domain, through the reaches of fathomless time and space. To attempt to mathematically calculate the range of their expedition is a lesson in futility. Furthermore, how long did it take for the angels to arrive at their holy destination? It is romantic to think that they traveled on illuminated wings, at the speed of light, to bring the good news of He who was the Eternal Light. I don’t know. You don’t know. But is it really relevant? Not when compared to the message they were sent to deliver...the proclamation that would save Humanity.

The first angel to appear to shepherds had a specific heavenly vocation, that of a messenger. Can you imagine this particular angel’s excitement upon learning that he (biblical tradition holds that these messenger angels were male) had been chosen for so great a task? Not to be facetious as to how things unfolded after he was given his assignment, but it’s fun to imagine that he may have run through heaven shouting for all to hear, “You won’t believe what the Father just told me! He’s not giving up on His creation! I’m going down tonight to tell the world that everything is going to be ok! The redemption of humankind is at hand! I imagine the singing in heaven that night might have been just a cut above the norm. God had a plan. It included you and me. No one was cast aside. For God so loved...Of course, we view all these matters in retrospect, but for those who witnessed it in real time, my goodness, what a sight it must have been!  First, the essential message was delivered... ”Do not be afraid, dear shepherds, I am here to deliver incredible news, not just for you, but for everyone! Listen to this! Today, as I speak, in the town just over the hill from here, your Savior has just been born! He is Christ, the Lord!” Then, as if heaven could not contain the joy of the evening, the sky flamed with light as a multitude of the heavenly host, angels by the hundreds, spoke in unison, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace to men upon whom His favor rests!” Oh, to have been there! Do you not long for the day when you too will be a part of the choir? What a day that will be!

One last word. No one was meant to be left out of the equation. Deciding who gets to take advantage of the good news, who gets in and who is left out, is a human constraint. Our selfish judgements don’t factor into the final outcome. God loves you. He also loves everyone else. The news wasn’t just for a select, self-appointed few. In these days of earthly affection waxed cold, we will do well to remember that salvation has been provided for the whosoever. The angel plainly spoke this truth. That’s good enough for me.

Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:

All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
goodwill henceforth from highest heaven
begin and never cease!'

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OUR CORPORATE PRAYER
Father, we can only imagine the rich worship and fellowship we will have throughout all eternity, simply because you created us humans to reflect Your image and to establish a relationship with You. You also gave us dominion over all the earth. We praise You and thank You for the angels who watch over us and do all they can to protect us from the enemies of this dark and sin sick world.

We pray this prayer to the one true and wise God, and we offer ALL GLORY and HONOR forever and ever to Your Son Jesus who is the only one worthy and who is the Anointed One, our Messiah and redeemer.

In Jesus’ name we make our prayer, amen.