Think of Christmas, and you can’t help but think of angels. We make ornaments to look like them, top our trees with them, and sing songs about them. However, there is a lot of false information about angels. Many even think we become angels when we die, but that is simply not true. We are made in the image of God, not angels. We can be redeemed. Angels cannot.
They can appear to look outwardly like men. In Hebrews 13:2, we are told that we are to entertain strangers because they may be angels.
Hebrews 13:2 “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
We know they can speak because an angel told the women at the tomb not to be afraid.
Matthew 28:5 “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.”
They were also curious about salvation. We, as Christians, should sense the value of the gospel that we have received. We have the great privilege of partaking in it. This excited the deepest interest among the angels.
I Peter 1:12 “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”
Of course, the Christmas story reminds us that they can sing praises to God.
Luke 2:13-14 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Besides having intelligence, angels feel emotions and have a will. After all, one of the most beautiful angels was Lucifer. He must have been very persuasive. One-third of heaven’s angels followed him in rebelling against God. This shows us that they possess cognitive abilities to make their own decisions and solve problems. Angels run the whole gamut of emotions, feelings, desires, and all intellectual powers.
Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
One of the most famous angels was Gabriel. He appeared to Mary to announce that she would give birth to the Christ child.
Luke 1:26-28 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”
This had to be the most important message any angel ever brought to earth. This angel played a part in the redemption of man by telling the good news that our Redeemer and Savior would come to this earth. He was coming for one purpose: to redeem us from our sins.
This angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, and just as he had told Mary, he told Joseph. Don’t fear!
Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Angels have played a very important role since the beginning of their existence. Throughout scripture, we see where God sends them to bring a message because that is their primary job when it pertains to mankind. When it pertains to God, they are there to worship and praise Him, honor Him, and obey Him. They are there for God’s glory.
So, when you look at your tree and see the image of what we think an angel looks like, remember the different roles that they play. Remind yourself of the glorious announcement that allows us to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
