Angels cannot preach the gospel. . .Presumably they do not hear the gospel the way we do: in their purity they have escaped the effects of sin and are unable to comprehend what it means to be lost. Rather, God has commanded the church to preach. . .Only man can speak salvation’s experience to man…(“Angels”, by Billy Graham)

The story of the nativity of Jesus is awash in angels; not just one angel, Gabriel, but an entire host of angels who sang to the shepherds. At no other place in scripture did God empty His heaven of angels to visit earth in celebration. They came to reveal the identity of the baby Jesus to the shepherds, but also express the very heart of God to this handful of men who on that night would share God’s own love and anticipation wrapped in swaddling cloths and in a manger. The angels also shared and participated in the great joy that they expressed: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Luke 2:14) The joy of the angels reflected the joy and delight of God Himself at this tiny event made huge by His angels. God had sent Gabriel in advance, first announcing the pregnancy of Elizabeth, who would bear John the Baptist in her old age, and then greeting young Mary with God’s plan for her.

Later, angels would attend to Jesus at critical times in his life on earth. When he was tempted in the wilderness, and when he prayed on Gethsemane, at the beginning and near the end of his earthly ministry, angels attended him. At his arrest, Jesus said, “Do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled. . That say it must happen in this way?” (Matthew 26;53-54)

Everything about Jesus’ birth fulfilled scripture. All of his life fulfilled scripture, too. The scriptures were fulfilled as Zechariah,the father of John the Baptist said, “God has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He said through His holy prophets of long ago.” (Luke 1:69-70)

The scripture was fulfilled when Mary said “yes” to the angel Gabriel. In his parents, Mary and Joseph, Jesus saw scripture being fulfilled. In his life he experienced the ministering of angels. It was angels who announced his resurrection to the disciples. The angels do not preach, but they do work God’s will in the lives of His people, and they have never been retired.

Love in Him,

Prue