By Bill Ellis

Does this time of the year become significantly meaningful for you and your family? In the Old Testament we read: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; . . .’.” (Isaiah 40:3 NKJV). Ready or not, Christmas will soon be here.

All we really know about angels is what we are told in the Word of God. Angels are real. They are ministering servants in heaven and on earth. They are faithful and obedient to God.

For some exciting reading turn to the awesome story of Christ’s birth as told by Dr. Luke, chapters 1 and 2. I am glad a doctor wrote the story.

Angels play a prominent role in all that surrounds the birth of God’s only begotten Son. An elderly priest, Zechariah, was praying in the temple of the Lord and Gabriel, one of God’s angels, came to tell him that he was going to be a father.

Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had no children, but Gabriel said that is about to change. “You are to give him the name John.” Not long after Zechariah got home “his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.” She did not go out and her husband was speechless. It’s all in Luke 1:5-25.

Gabriel, however, was not through naming babies. He went to Nazareth and startled a young virgin by the name of Mary when he said, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (1:31 NIV). He told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth, who had been childless for years, was already six months pregnant.

Mary did what any cousin would do and hurried off to rejoice with Elizabeth. When she told Elizabeth that she was also going to have a baby whose name would be Jesus, little John leaped in his mother’s womb (1:41).

That’s one among other reasons, why I could never believe in abortion. There was a living baby boy inside his mother. John who would be six months older than Jesus was ready to “prepare the path.” He could hardly wait to get outside and get going.

Gabriel had some good advice for the parents of John, and all parents, when he said, “and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink” (1:15 KJ). If we followed the advice of Gabriel, there would be no drunken parties or abortions this Christmas.

Angels appear throughout the Bible. They do special work for God. You read about them more than 300 times, the first being Genesis 16:7 and the last in Revelation 22:16. They are always where God wants them to be and doing what He wants done.

Angels were present when Jesus was born. An angel made the birth announcement to the shepherds. “The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:9-11 NKJ)

Suddenly a great host of angels appeared praising God. Just before they went back to heaven this angelic choir sang the first Christmas carol, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will, toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

What the angels said might be summarized in these brief words: “The Savior, whose name is Jesus, was born to the Virgin Mary. He came to save us from our sins. We are to praise God and give Him glory for this unique event.”

We are to live in peace and goodwill toward others. We are to give Him our best gifts, which includes our heart. Kitty and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

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