Advent on the Blog: Through Angels' Eyes

They floated high above the Judean landscape, their wings fluttering gently, radiantly beautiful. Far below them lights twinkled from a village as well as few solitary dots from the campfires of shepherds in the hills. Over to their right, about six miles away, there were the brighter lights of a large city. That would be Jerusalem, the capital of Judea. 

However, the attention of the two angels focused on the little town of Bethlehem. Gabriel turned to his fellow archangel Michael with a look of eagerness and delight. 

"Tonight is the night, is it not?" he said, more of a statement of confirmation than a question. 

"Yes," replied Michael, nodding. "Our Lord has brought together the events of this night according to His perfect plan. The Son of God is about to enter human history as a baby." 

Gabriel had a gleam in his eye as he turned to view the earth below again as he spoke. "It has been so fascinating watching the great plan of God come together. The Promise He gave Adam and Eve in the Garden. He saved Noah and his family on the Ark when the whole world was warped by sin. What mercy! We watched choose Abraham to share His covenant and make him the father of the faithful. Giving Sarah and him a son in their advanced age was a such a joyful event. Raising up Israel, a nation that would bless all the other nations of the world through their descendants, set His course for history. The revelation His Spirit gave the prophets hundreds of their years ago so they could tell about the coming of the Son of God. The Lord God has orchestrated the rise and fall of governments to set the world stage. He has taken care of all the details, even down to the building of good roads for Mary to travel on to get to Bethlehem. Truly mankind will look back on all this and marvel at the Lord's sovereign planning." 

"It is amazing to me how much the Lord God loves them. He gave them everything in creation to enjoy. He is even willing to forgive them and make them a part of His family. Yet the great majority of these humans act as if He does not even exist. They break His laws, spurn His love, try to make themselves into little gods and fail miserably. They are making His beautiful creation into a shambles. Still, in spite of their rebellion against His love....this incredible plan to redeem and restore them!” 

Michael pointed toward Bethlehem. "And there, the greatest evidence of His love of all...God the Son is actually going to go down and become one of them...live among them...die for them." 

Gabriel's face hardened. "Yes, but our enemy and his forces will do all they can to stop Him. They have been deceiving and destroying people since the Garden, and they will come against the Son and His followers more than anyone else. We have met our enemy and his forces in conflict constantly since they rebelled against the Lord God. We have fought them on every level--Lucifer has demon forces seeking to control nations, governments, cities, families and individual lives.” 

The two angels were quiet for a moment, reflecting on the intensity of the spiritual battles the armies of heaven had fought against Lucifer’s forces over the course of many centuries. Though invisible, the conflicts had influenced the direction and destiny of untold numbers. 

“Even though his only power is in deception, our adversary controls the minds of far too many.” Gabriel’s voice showed the strain of his sadness. “How little these humans realize what violent events go on around them in the realm of the spirit! Their eternal souls are at stake. They are the prize in battles with eternal consequences. Someday we will see our enemy vanquished 

forever. For now, however, we must be ever vigilant to serve and protect those the Lord God loves." 

He pointed to Jerusalem. "Satan has a real stronghold there. King Herod is in his grip, little more than a puppet in his hands. The religious leaders are blinded by their own traditions and pride. Even now our enemy is maneuvering Herod into trying to kill the Son soon after His birth." 

Michael nodded, his face grave. "The battle will be fierce, but thanks be to God that we shall have victory. The Lord Jesus will come and carry out His plan to save all those who will come to Him by faith. We will be working, unseen, but with the prayer support of God's people, we will continue to overcome our enemy's forces. Are the guards in place around Mary and Joseph?" 

"Yes, our best are with them, although it seems no one else is. There was no room for them in the inn. How could that innkeeper turn away a woman about to deliver a baby?! They are safe in a stable just down the hill from the inn. It's a cave that will keep them sheltered from the wind and chill and provide some soft hay for Mary and the baby." 

Gabriel's face had a look of sadness. 

"The King of the Universe entering into their world, and He suffers the most impoverished birth. I know He wanted to identify with them, but to this degree?" 

Michael put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't forget, my brother, how far God's love is willing to go when it comes to those made in His image." 

From above them, a voice deep and regal, spoke. 

"Gabriel. Michael." 

Instantly the two sped back to heaven and knelt before the throne of God, covering their faces in humility with their shining wings. "Yes, Lord?" they said. 

"The time has come." The Father's face was radiant. "I have one more announcement for you to make, Gabriel. Michael, call the choir that regularly ministers around the throne and take them with you. I want those shepherds to hear the music of Heaven so they understand Who My Son is. They are guarding the lambs for sacrifice in the Temple. Tell them about the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. They will be the first to know." 

The two angels stood, their wings full and shimmering with iridescent beauty. "It will be our great delight, Lord!" they said, and with another bow, they were gone. 

The shepherds shivered against the chill of the night air. Several huddled around a campfire, a few trying to get some sleep before their next watch. Two stood watch among the flock, alert to any danger that might come to the sheep. It was a night like many others... 

Suddenly the sky lit up, bright with a dazzling light that seemed to outshine a noonday sun. Startled and momentarily stunned, the shepherds shielded their eyes and tried to see the source of the light. They saw the stars blocked out by a vast army of angels, glowing with the glory of God. When they realized they were completely surrounded by divine beings, the look on their faces turned to stark terror. Surprisingly, the sheep did not stampede. They were unusually calm considering the circumstances. 

Gabriel came low until he hovered just a few feet above the shepherds. He raised his hand in greeting and smiled. 

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 

With Gabriel's announcement, the radiance of the angels seemed to intensify. Wave after wave of glory bathed the shepherds until they fell to their knees overwhelmed with wonder. Then, 

with a signal from Michael, the choir began to sing! Such harmony, such majestic melody have never been heard on the earth. This was the music of the throne room of Heaven, sung to a small band of simple shepherds! 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" 

The divine concert continued on as all the pent up joy of the angels was released to the universe. The Son of God is born! The Savior is come! Our Lord is here, among men! Glory to God! Glory to God! 

At last the angelic chorale finished their Christmas concert. Michael took the choir back to Heaven, and Gabriel led the shepherds into the village. Skirting around the main streets, they went around behind the inn and headed for the cave. For a moment, the shepherds hesitated, self-conscious. But Gabriel stood before the doorway and beckoned them. "Do not be afraid. Come and see your Messiah," he said gently. 

The angels guarding the door stood aside, and they came in. As they told Joseph with quiet wonder of the angelic announcement, tears of knowing joy ran unashamedly down Joseph's face. He led them to the back of the stable. There, amidst the pungent odor of animal smells mingled with the sweet smell of fresh hay, a tiny bundle lay in the manager. Mary tucked the swaddling clothes closer around Him, her face glowing with a new mother's love in the flickering lamplight. 

"His name is Jesus," she said. 

"Yeshua," they said in soft awe. "Messiah has come." 

The shepherds looked upon Him, their God cooing softly in the manager, the Almighty Son of God now resident in a tiny robe of human flesh. Then, doing the only appropriate thing, they knelt before Him in silent wonder, their tears falling off their beards making smudges in the dust. 

And Gabriel knelt with them.

Excerpt from the book Christmas Hearts written by Fit & Flourish president and co-founder, Dr. Tim Roehl