Angels We Have Heard on HighExemplo

Nowhere else in the Bible do we see as much angelic activity as during Jesus’ incarnation and earthly ministry. In the first few chapters of Luke, the angel Gabriel announced the humanly impossible pregnancies of Elizabeth and Mary. A short time later, a host of angelic armies split open the sky and announced Jesus’ birth to a group of shepherds.

Angels guided Joseph in leading his young family to safety in Egypt and returning to Nazareth. Years later, when Jesus began his ministry, angels ministered to him in the wilderness after his temptation, strengthened him in the garden before the crucifixion, and proclaimed his resurrection at the empty tomb.

Angels are not cute cherubs with halos as depicted on Hallmark cards but spiritual beings surrounded by brilliant light with majestic appearances. Whatever they look like, they strike fear into the hearts of those they encounter, for the first thing they tell humans when they see them is, “Fear not.” As majestic and fearsome as they are, they are not to be worshiped. John the Apostle was overwhelmed by the vision of end-time events he received from an angel, so he instinctively bowed to worship. But the angel refused and told John to worship only God.

While we marvel at God’s holy angels, it's interesting that they look upon God’s redeemed and marvel at us. There are some things even the angels don’t understand as they long to understand our salvation. Angels are sinless, so they don’t understand grace and forgiveness, but the wonder of salvation and the attributes of God are laced throughout all their messages. Their announcement of a Savior born to save his people was immediately followed by a heavenly worship concert.

Over the next four days, we’ll marvel at the angels' example of worship as we consider the events surrounding the incarnation of the newborn King Jesus. The angels' announcements further prove that only the Messiah, the long-hoped-for and promised Savior, is worthy of such an angelic welcome. Let’s join the angels we have heard on high and sing with them, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”