God always knew that words cannot express the “Word”, the one known by his disciple John as the “Word.” (John 1:1) Instead, God wrapped the Word in human flesh and swaddling cloths, so that, with the help of angel visitations to Mary and in dreams to Joseph, in a host of sweet singers to some shepherds, and the visits of royalty from the East, the Word could find recognition on earth when he was born. The Word, of course, could not speak, or know that he was being recognized, but God provided those who could both know and speak, and one who was content to ponder. For more than 2000 years, human flesh has celebrated his entry into our world, singing the angels’ song and reliving his birth.

In a sermon once preached by the famous British pastor Charles Spurgeon, he wondered that the angels didn’t appear jealous that God had chosen a human life as apposed to an angelic life for His son to receive. The preacher was moved by the joyful chorus that announced the birth of Jesus, and the careful and graceful work of the angel Gabriel in addressing both Zechariah and Mary.

The angels never disappeared from the life of the growing Jesus, and as a man close to death he was mindful of their presence.: “Do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”(Matthew 26:23) The glory of the angels who sang at Jesus’ birth and their close association with his human family helps us understand the mysterious incarnation of God’s Spirit in the Word, His son.

Jesus combines for us the natural and the supernatural life on earth, becoming a loving link for us to his Father God: “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests’” (Luke 2:13-14)

Even though words can’t contain all there is to know about the incarnation, Advent is a time to read and reread the scriptures to discover in their words the Word that became flesh and inspired angelic music on earth. The angels are not jealous of humanity. They know that we are created by their creator, and they love to bring messages of grace and favor from our Father to us. They, too, celebrated the incarnation of the Word, and rejoiced to sing his nativity.

Love in Him,

Prue