Bible Verse:
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-14
Song: Casting Crowns - Gloria/Angels We Have Heard on High (Audio)By clicking the above song title, you will be directed to a video of our worship song for today. Hope you enjoy this song selected specifically to go along with our devotion! (Tip: if you right click on the link it will open in a separate window and you can listen to the song while you read)
Today is the fourth week of Advent. If we were lighting the candles on a wreath, we would be lighting the final purple candle. This week is the Angel Candle and today’s bible reading tells about the Angels that brought the first birth announcement we talked about last week. But this is not the only angel sighting in the story of the birth of Christ!
The angel Gabriel came to Zacharias and told him that his wife Elizabeth would have a son and to name him John. (Luke 1: 8-20)
Next the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth saying to Mary “behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” Luke1:26-38
And it was an angel that appeared to Joseph in a dream saying “Joseph, son of David do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
And then in Luke 2:8-14 we have todays bible reading telling of a heavenly host of angels appearing to the shepherds.
Do you think that angels are still part of our culture today? Are there angels among us?
There are two bible verses that come to my mind regarding these questions.
The first one is “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11
The second one “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2
Once when traveling I stopped and gave money to a man on a street corner who was holding up a sign asking for help. As I handed him the money, I said “God Be with you” he responded by saying “God is closer than you think”. This man’s eyes looked directly into mine when he said it and I had a chill that went thru my whole body, I knew that day I had entertained an angel!
This final week of advent, Christmas Eve, let us meditate on what gifts we can bring to this God Child.
Heavenly Father, here is my heart, complete and unreserved! Thank you that the gift you gave to us has unleashed in us a greater power, a deeper hope, a sweeter joy and the deepest peace, but most of all a deeper love for You, whose love is everlasting. The greatest gift that we can give to You is to love you back with all that we have and all that we are. Amen