“There appeared to him an angel…Zechariah was troubled when he saw him.” (Luke 1:11-12)

Christmas Angel and Joseph

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to come face to face with a real live angel? (Read Judges Chapter 13)

Consider Zechariah the priest as he is ministering in the temple. He’s laying the incense on the altar. Suddenly through the clouds of smoke, an angel of the Lord appears to him. How would you react?. Zechariah is struck with terror, shaken to the core.

Zechariah wasn’t alone. That first Christmas an angel would appear to Mary and the shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night. And they all would have the same reaction; they were instantly filled with fear and terror. You and I would be too.

No matter how good a person you are, coming face to face with the holiness of an angel shows you your failings, and fills you with dread and fear. How much more terrifying will it be to look into God’s face, when He comes with His angels in great power and glory to judge us on the Last Day?

That’s one of the truly wonderful things about Christmas. The promised Savior did not come as a fearsome, mighty warrior to strike fear and terror into each of us. Instead, He came as a tiny baby lying in a manger. He didn’t come to terrify us; He came to take away our sin and guilt and assure us of God’s love and forgiveness.

“Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

Can you thank him enough for coming to live amongst us and dying to save us? May his perfect love and perfect life calm your heart and cast all your fears away.

Christmas is not about presents; it about His Presence!

Pastor Bob