Job description for an angel. To be a messenger, care giver, guardian and onlooker. The angel Gabriel is best known for bearing the good news of Jesus’ birth, but before he spoke with Mary, he went to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, (Luke: 1:19). Here he describes himself with the Greek word ‘paristano’ which means ‘stands.’ Gabriel stands in the presence of God waiting to serve. He is God’s servant messenger.
But on the night of Jesus’ birth, the angels have a night off from their usual duties. Why?
Because this night is different: it is a night of joy and celebration; a night when the angels look deeply into the beauty and good news of a promised salvation. The scripture tells us that the field shone with the glory of God when the first angel appeared. This angel of the Lord speaks of ‘good news of great joy’ of a Saviour’s birth and then:
“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.'” Luke 2: 13-14 (NLT)
This vast host of angels are not the source of the light; they reflect His light. This is their honour: to be a mirror for God’s glory. Paul, in his first letter to Timothy (6:16), describes this light as ‘unapproachable’.
But on this night, the angels help make the unapproachable approachable and they share this shimmering, dazzling, blinding light with shepherds, and, by song and story, with us.
They can’t help themselves. They could not stop if they wanted to. This joyful news is no longer private, once spoken to individuals: Mary and Joseph; Elizabeth and Zacharias, even from God to Gabriel. This message of ‘great joy’ is now publicly sung in a field to a group of shepherds by a vast army of angels. All are bathed in the Lord’s overflowing light and glory which overpowers the darkness. It is boundless; endless; without limits.
Drenched in the light and carried by the song, the shepherds leave their sheep to run and see this promised Saviour in swaddling clothes and they encounter the Light of the World:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Overflowing with joy, they too can’t help themselves — telling everyone they meet of Jesus’ birth. Like the angels, the shepherds reflect His light to a world in darkness. The light is the message; the message is our gift.
In His season; reflect on Him; reflect His light and ‘Shine like Stars’.
Rector’s Thank You
I would like to thank everybody who has helped to support our churches in the past year in so many different ways, and to wish you all a joyous and Christ filled Christmas with family and friends; and extend a warm invitation to the many Christmas Serviced where we can celebrate together the gift of the Christ Child. I hope too that many families will enjoy inviting the Holy family into their homes with our travelling cribs in the run up to Christmas Happy Christmas one and all Simon