Angels on High

Angels are powerful, spiritual beings who serve God to do specific tasks, both in heaven and on earth. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we usually picture angels as being females, the two angels mentioned in the Bible by name, Gabriel and Michael, are males. Gabriel delivered God's messages, and Michael was an archangel, or chief angel. We get our idea of guardian angels from Luke 4:10-11:

For it is written, He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hand they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Angels are all through the Bible, beginning with Genesis and going through Revelation. Abraham hosted three of them, Jacob wrestled with one, David wrote of them, Elijah was fed by one, Daniel received a revelation from one, Zechariah and Elizabeth were given startling but welcome news, Mary and Joseph received important messages, one greeted the women at the tomb of Jesus, John saw them in visions, and the list goes on and on.

Certainly, one of the most spectacular angelic visits to earth was to the shepherds at the birth of Christ. Read Luke 2:8-14. Can you imagine the scene and feel the excitement? Here was a group of common, lowly shepherds tending their flock through the night, when an angel appeared to tell them of the birth of "a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." At first the shepherds were terrified, but the angel assured them he meant no harm. After the angel delivered this life-changing message, a whole host of other angels joined him, and they begin to sing praises. What a glorious sight that must have been! How much the Christmas story should make us also want to sing for joy!

_____________________________________