Lu 1:19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news."***********************************
It is totally appropriate for angels to appear all over the Christmas story. One appears to Zechariah to announce John the Baptist's birth. Then one appears to Mary to tell her that she is chosen to bear the Christ Child. Next, Joseph hears from an angel that it is OK to take Mary as his wife because she is bearing God's only son. The angel of the Lord and a heavenly host of angels gives a fabulous performance to the shepherds the night of Jesus' birth. Finally an angel tells Joseph to flee with the Child to Egypt for His protection from Herod.
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In all of these cases, the angel speaks for God. I like what Gabriel explains to Zachariah in the verse for today. He explains that he comes from God's presence. He is a sent one. And he comes bearing Good News.
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"Good News" seems to be a theme. The shepherds also hear that the angel comes with Good News.
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Sometimes I have wished an angel would appear and tell me what to do or proclaim to me the glory of God at work in my life. And yet the Good News and the Glory of God is right in front of me. It is found in the Word of God, the Bible. In fact, one version is called the Good News Bible.
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This advent devotional has been good for me. I have dug into the Good News of the story of the Christ Child daily and reflected on it throughout the day. I guess I don't need a personal angel! Just get into the Word!
