Messenger Angels and Christmas Miracles

During the first Christmas, messenger angels show up everywhere. They appear in visions and dreams and sometimes look like ordinary men. Sent by God, they come to encourage and aid God’s people to fulfill His plan.

A Messenger angel announces the birth of John.

First, Gabriel, the archangel, announces to Zacharias, the priest, that his aged and barren wife, Elizabeth, will conceive and bear a son. They shall name him John. And John, filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, will be a great man in God’s eyes and turn many to the Lord. (Luke 1:11-17)

Gabriel visits Mary.

Then, in Elizabeth’s sixth month, Gabriel visits Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin. Mary was a young virgin chosen by God to give birth to the Christ Child.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” — Luke 1:28

Gabriel continues:

The Holy Spirit will come on you. The power of the Highest will cover you. The holy Child you give birth to will be called the Son of God. — Luke 1:35 NLV

For with God, nothing will be impossible. — Luke 1:37

Mary believed the words spoken by the messenger angel Gabriel. She said, “Let it be to me according to your word.” The Holy Spirit then overshadowed her. And, the miraculous conception of the Christ Child happened. (Luke 1:38)

Finally, a messenger angel appeared to Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, and assured him that Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son and call His name Immanuel (God with us).

Messenger angel brings good news.

When Jesus of Nazareth was born, an angel surrounded by glorious light appeared to shepherds in the fields, and said to them:

“Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people. A Savior is born to you today in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord. And the sign to you is this: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly, a multitude of heavenly armies appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth shalom to men of goodwill.”
Luke 2:10-14, TLV

Wise men follow a bright star to Jesus’ house.

Later, wise men (scientists) from the East followed a bright star to a house where they found the young Child with his mother, Mary. They worshipped Him and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Mt 2:1-11)

Messenger angel warns of danger.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. — Mt 2:12

Prophets foretold His incarnation.

Hundreds of years before, prophets wrote and spoke about a divine one embodied in flesh coming to earth:

• A Savior born in Bethlehem, whose roots spring from eternity (Mic 5:2)
• The Seed of the woman (Gen 3:15)
• The Child born and Son given to us by God. He is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6)

Jesus is the Savior.  He is the eternal Word who became flesh (human). He is the Seed of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the Child born, the Son God gave to and for us.

Wise People Believe the Message.

Messenger angels announced His birth. Ordinary people received Him. Wise men worshipped Him. Today, ordinary, intelligent people still welcome and celebrate Him. They realize the true meaning of Christmas, and the greatest gift a person can receive is Christ Jesus. For as many as receive Him, He gives them the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name.

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See also: John 1:1, 14, Luke 1, 2; Mt 1, 2; John 1:9-13; Mt 16:16; John 3:16, Rom 10:9-10.

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