Have you wondered what it might be like to be in the presence of an angel? Have you wondered what an angel looks like? Have you considered the pure power an angel might exude? Do you think you would tremble in fear? Would you be afraid of what the angel might do?
Though there is a plethora of art that depicts angels, I am not convinced an angel looks anything like the art. The only thing the artists may have correct are the wings. It is difficult to project power through art, for the power angels possess is about feeling.
An angel appears fist to the shepherds to bring them the news of the Messiah being born. The glory, or divine power, of a single angel was so powerful that the shepherds were terrified. They dropped to the ground, bowing down to the angel in fear. They may have thought their lives were about to be taken from them. They have thought severe punishment was about to be meted out on them. Whatever their thoughts, they were terrified.
The angel tells them not to be afraid, which was a wonderful message to the shepherds. They were not going to be punished nor their lives taken. Instead, the angel announces the Messiah is born. Not only that, but the angel tells them where to find Him. Then an army of angels suddenly appears and starts glorifying God. If one angel was overpowering, imagine what hundreds, or thousands, of angels would have been like. There would have been power emanated beyond imagination and the thunderous voices of an army of angels singing.
We celebrate the birth of the Messiah in many ways. We praise Him in song. We read the story. We celebrate with people around the world. Yet, I am not convinced we celebrate with the pure joy the angels did that night with the shepherds. Perhaps we don’t due to a lack of full comprehension of the moment. Maybe we don’t grasp the significance of God coming into his creation. The more we understand the significance, the more likely we are to be filled with joy. So much so that we will be driven to tears and trembling.
I pray we all take time to imagine the joy of the angels. I pray we seek to understand the significance of the Messiah. I pray each one of us have our hearts filled with the joy of the angels. Imagine an army of joyous angels. Understand the significance. Be filled with joy.
Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Marty Pressey 